Results tagged ‘ Pat Hughes ’
12/23 Cubs search for Santo replacement
The Cubs and WGN Radio have begun their search to find a new analyst to partner with play-by-play man Pat Hughes and fill Ron Santo’s seat in the booth. Santo died Dec. 3. He was 70.
“We wanted to do this as respectfully as we could,” WGN-AM 720 sports director Dave Eanet told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s not something we wanted to plunge right into. But we’re not too far from Spring Training and there is a vacant seat in the booth. Having said that, we know we’re not going to replace Ron Santo.”
The Cubs and WGN will work together in the search. Hughes, who received a five-year extension through the 2015 season on Monday, has been consulted. Eanet said they hope to have a decision in time for the Cubs Convention, Jan. 14-16 at the Hilton Chicago.
The job description on the Tribune Co.’s website says the preferred candidate will have played with the Cubs or have played Major League baseball with previous broadcast experience as a game analyst. Eanet said it’s not a prerequisite that Santo’s replacement be a former Cubs player.
Who would you like to hear on the radio?
– Carrie Muskat
12/20 Hughes gets 5-year extension
WGN Radio announced Monday it has given Cubs play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes a five-year extension through the 2015 season. The 2011 season will be Hughes’ 16th with WGN Radio and the Cubs, and his 29th season of broadcasting in Major League Baseball.
Who will be Hughes’ partner in 2011 has yet to be determined. Ron Santo, who just completed his 21st season as the Cubs’ radio analyst and 15th with Hughes, died on Dec. 3. A replacement was not expected to be named until early next year.
Before joining WGN Radio and the Cubs, Hughes was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Brewers for 12 years. He has been named Illinois Sportscaster of the Year five times and Wisconsin Sportscaster of the year three times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and he is a finalist for Illinois Sportscaster of the Year again in 2010.
– Carrie Muskat
12/10 Celebrating Santo
It was an impressive turnout Friday at Ron Santo’s funeral at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Among the guests to pay respects to the broadcaster and third baseman were Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams, as well as Glenn Beckert and Randy Hundley. The casket was first escorted up the steps of the church by Cubs traveling secretary Jimmy Bank, WGN Radio engineer Matt Boltz, and some of Santo’s radio partners, including Andy Masur, Cory Provus and Judd Sirott.
“It was our last pregame show together,” said Masur, now a broadcaster with the Padres.
Pat Hughes, who was Santo’s partner for 15 seasons on WGN Radio delivered a tribute as did Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.
“Ron was the fans’ broadcaster — he was the fan in the booth,” Ricketts said.
Others at the service included Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, and broadcasters Gary Matthews, Thom Brennaman, Len Kasper, and Bob Brenly. Several Cubs players, past and present, were, including Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, Sean Marshall, Koyie Hill, Tom Gorzelanny, Justin Berg, Ted Lilly, Kevin Orie, Dave Otto and Scott Sanderson. Cubs manager Mike Quade, general manager Jim Hendry and the rest of the team’s front office also were present to pay respects.
“He’s the No. 1 Cubs fan ever,” Hughes said.
Santo got one last look at Wrigley Field as the funeral procession did a lap of the ballpark.
– Carrie Muskat
8/3 Sing along
Bob Uecker will sing the seventh inning stretch Tuesday night at the Cubs’ game. On Wednesday, it will be WGN Radio’s Pat Hughes. Actor, director and producer Ron Howard will lead the crowd on Saturday, and country music duo Brooks & Dunn will do the honors Sunday.
– Carrie Muskat
5/5 Tribute to Ernie
WGN Radio’s Pat Hughes on the passing of long time Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell:
“Ernie could not have been any nicer or more humble, perhaps the most beloved sports figure in Detroit history. He always treated me with kindness and respect. Out of the blue, he would call me at home in the winter. I am happy I knew him and could call him a friend. He was a wonderful human being.”
– Carrie Muskat
9/24 No Santo in San Fran
WGN Radio broadcaster Ron Santo will skip the Cubs’ weekend series in San Francisco. Santo, who handles the analysis with play by play man Pat Hughes, is fine, and there are no health issues. Former pitcher Dave Otto will fill in.
– Carrie Muskat
5/27 Quick hits
Carlos Marmol rejoined the Cubs after going to New York to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. Marmol welcomed baby Caroline into the world on Tuesday.
* Catcher Steve Clevenger was promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A on Wednesday.
* Happy birthday to Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes, 54 years young.
– Carrie Muskat
4/13 Opening notes
There was a moment of silence before Monday’s Cubs-Rockies game in honor of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas. Kalas died Monday prior to the Phillies game against the Nationals. WGN Radio’s Pat Hughes was saddened at Kalas’ passing.
“I just loved the guy,” Hughes said. “He was somebody I admired as a young man growing up trying to get into the business. I was struck by his voice and how clear and strong it was. Then I realized beyond that, he was really a great announcer. He knew what he was talking about.
“He could build the drama in a game,” Hughes said. “I loved his call of Mike Schmidt’s 500th home run. I loved hearing him do the voiceovers on NFL Films. It was a voice I never got tired of hearing. Everytime I heard it, it sounded fresh and vibrant and good.”
* Rick Sutcliffe threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his former catcher, Jody Davis, who is now a Minor League instructor for the Cubs.
* Milton Bradley, sidelined with a strained right groin, did not take part in the player introductions for the home opener.
– Carrie Muskat
4/6 Quick hits
ESPN’s Rick Sutcliffe has tabbed Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano as his pick for MVP this year. Soriano batted .325 with six home runs this spring and is feeling better with his legs. He told Lou Piniella he wants to play 155 games this year. Why not 162? Because Piniella is insisting Soriano take some time off, so the outfielder said he’d miss one day a month. Soriano isn’t thinking MVP.
“I think about being healthy,” he said.
Other notes:
- Sean Marshall threw five innings on Sunday in Mesa, Ariz., in his last spring tuneup. The Cubs plan on staying in rotation with Rich Harden opening the series in Milwaukee Friday and Marshall making his first start next week against the Cardinals. Marshall said he threw strikes, however he did give up seven runs. It was a 9 a.m. start. “I pitched and got out of there,” Marshall said.
- A report out of New York said Piniella could be hired as a consultant for the Yankees after his Cubs career is over. “I was there a long time,” Piniella said Monday. “Right now, and as I told [reporter Bill Madden], my only concern is the Chicago Cubs and that’s it.”
- WGN Radio’s Pat Hughes rejoined the team after being stuck in Chicago for seven hours trying to get to New York for Saturday’s game. Hughes’ luggage, however, showed up at his home at 1 a.m. Monday morning. “I’m wearing my third-string shoes,” he said.
- Sign of the new season: Carlos Zambrano rubbing clubhouse manager Tom Hellman’s head for good luck. “First one of the year,” Zambrano said.
– Carrie Muskat
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