A LIFETIME OF STORIES: PAT HUGHES INDUCTED INTO ILLINOIS BROADCASTERS HALL OF FAME
CHICAGO, IL—In a ceremony that felt like a warm summer night at the Friendly Confines, Pat Hughes, the legendary “Voice of the Cubs,” was officially inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) Hall of Fame on November 6, 2025.
The event, held at the Chicago Silver Dome Awards Gala, served as a “Lifetime Media Award” celebration for a man who has narrated the highs and lows of Cubs baseball since 1996. While the award recognizes his decade-spanning career, the night belonged to the fans and the family who have stood by him through over 6,000 MLB broadcasts.
THE “BOND WITH THE FANS”
Reflecting on his journey—from calling games with Al McGuire at Marquette to his iconic “Pat and Ron Show” with the late Ron Santo—Hughes moved the audience with his humble perspective on the role of a radio announcer.
“Calling Cubs games was never just a job—it was a bond with the fans who lived every pitch with us,” Hughes remarked during his induction speech. “Whether it was a cold April afternoon or the magic of 2016, you were always in that booth with me.”
A MOMENT FOR TRISH: THE HEARTBEAT OF THE BOOTH
In one of the evening’s most touching moments, Pat’s wife, Trish Hughes, stood to share her own gratitude. Having been married since 1987—long before Pat became a Chicago institution—Trish’s “thank you” to the city highlighted the human side of the grueling 162-game schedule. Her words sparked a wave of nostalgia among attendees, reminding everyone of the sacrifices families make to bring the game into the living rooms of millions.
THE LEGACY BY THE NUMBERS
With this induction, Pat Hughes further cements his status as the “Gold Standard” of Chicago sports media, joining fellow Frick Award winners Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse in the IBA Hall of Fame.
Career Milestone
The Achievement
The Impact
MLB Tenure
43 Consecutive Seasons
2025 marked his 30th season with the Cubs.
Postseason Games
61 (Cubs Record)
The most of any broadcaster in franchise history.
No-Hitters
8
From Juan Nieves to Alec Mills.
Contract Status
Multi-Year Extension
Signed a new deal in May 2025 to stay with 670 The Score.
Hall of Fame Status
Ford C. Frick (2023)
National recognition in Cooperstown.
THE VOICE CONTINUES IN 2026
While many “Lifetime” awards signal a conclusion, Pat Hughes isn’t going anywhere. Earlier this season, Hughes and color commentator Ron Coomer signed multi-year extensions with the Cubs and 670 The Score, ensuring that the “soundtrack of summer” will continue to echo through Wrigley Field for years to come.
As the Cubs prepare for the 2026 season, Pat remains the steady hand and the familiar friend for a generation of fans who can’t imagine a ballgame without his “get out the tape measure” home run calls.
