FIRST LOOK: Pat Hughes Baseball Hall of Fame Bobblehead released

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Fri Sep 15 07:31:32 GMT-05:00 2023

MILWAUKEE – Today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead of Chicago Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes, commemorating the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award that Hughes received this summer. The special edition bobblehead, which is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Hughes, is officially licensed by the Baseball Hall of Fame. The latest bobblehead joins other previously released bobbleheads featuring the iconic radio voice of the Cubs.

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Wearing black pants and a blue shirt and holding a microphone, the smiling Hughes bobblehead is standing on a base bearing his name and the Baseball Hall of Fame logo. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,023 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in December, are $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Hughes, the radio play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs since 1996, was presented with the 2023 Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence as part of Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend July 21-24 in Cooperstown, New York. It’s the biggest honor that can be bestowed upon a broadcaster in the game of baseball, and Hughes joined an elite group of announcers in Cubs’ history to receive the honor. Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray, Bob Elson, and Milo Hamilton spent time in the broadcast booth – radio or television – for the team and were also Frick Award winners. Hughes became the 47th recipient of the prestigious award.

The bobblehead joins other previously released bobbleheads featuring the iconic radio voice of the Cubs. A World Series Final Out talking bobblehead of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo with Hughes making the historic call at the push of a button is sold out. There are also three versions of a talking bobblehead featuring Hughes sitting at an announcer’s desk. With the push of a button, the bobblehead plays Pat’s legendary call from the historic November evening in Cleveland in 2016 when the Cubs became World Series Champions for the first time in 108 years. The first version, which sold out the day it was released, features Pat in a blue shirt, while the second version features Pat in a red shirt. In the third version, Pat is wearing a black shirt with palm trees, which is the shirt that he was wearing during Game 7. In addition, the third version also features a replica of the Game 7 scorecard on the top of the desk. The second and third versions are still available for $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

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Born in Tucson, Arizona, Hughes grew up in San Jose, California, and graduated with a degree in Radio/TV Journalism from San Jose State. He began his baseball career in 1978 with the San Jose Missions. After a season with the Columbus Clippers, Hughes joined the Minnesota Twins broadcast team in 1983 before moving to Milwaukee a year later, calling Brewers games on the radio with Bob Uecker, the 2003 Frick Award winner, through 1995. In November 1995, Hughes was selected by WGN Radio to be the new “Voice of the Cubs” and he partnered with color commentator and Hall of Famer, Ron Santo, from 1996 to 2010 for what became known as the “Pat and Ron Show” due to the duo’s on-air chemistry. After Santo’s death in 2010, former Cub Keith Moreland was Pat’s partner for three seasons. In December 2013, another former Cub, and Chicago native, Ron Coomer, joined Hughes.

A nine-time winner of the Illinois Sportscaster of the Year Award, Hughes also won three straight Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year Awards from 1990-92. He has called more than 6,000 MLB games during his 40-year career, including eight no-hitters, the 25-inning Brewers vs. White Sox contest from 1984 that was the longest game in American League history, and Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game for the Cubs in 1998. Hughes has announced 57 Cubs postseason games – more than any other Cubs broadcaster. His usual home run call is "That ball's got a chaaaance … GONE!" On longer home runs, Hughes' call often includes the phrase "Get out the tape measure, LONG GONE!”

When asked about being honored with the bobblehead, Pat said, “I never thought I could top the 2016 Cubs winning the World Series with a talking bobblehead and now to be honored with a National Baseball Hall Fame bobblehead is very humbling. Winning the 2023 Ford C. Frick Award was an incredible experience and one that I’m very thankful for. Now fans can enjoy this Hall of Fame bobblehead and celebrate along with me.” Prior to receiving the Frick award, Hughes said, “You don’t think about the Hall of Fame because it’s something so big, you think: There’s a strong likelihood you’re never going to get in. You just work hard, and sometimes good things happen.”

"We are honored to release this bobblehead of Chicago Cubs radio legend Pat Hughes in celebration of him receiving the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “A fan favorite for decades, this special bobblehead is sure to be a must-have for Cubs fans around the world!”