Later today Pat Hughes will enter Baseball’s Hall of Fame as the 2023 Ford C Frick winner. It’s a big day for baseball fans everywhere, but especially in Chicago and Milwaukee. Although he is a native Californian, he took to Milwaukee and Chicago like a native.

Younger Cub fans have only known Pat as their voice of summer. He’s been with the Cubs since 1996 after 12 seasons in Milwaukee. He’s a pro’s pro that has immense respect for the game and his craft. We assume that broadcasters love the game because of the sacrifices and dedication, but we also take for granted that they really love the game.

He’s a pretty private guy that doesn’t spread himself too thinly. He’s not on the radio much-save for his calls. He’s done an excellent job when asked to step onto a Marquee Network telecast. Whomever he is working with, he makes them exponentially better. He’s had some of the more memorable calls in Cubs history and has allowed the moments to shine. He defers to others without making them look foolish. He’s a very good storyteller who doesn’t allow his stories to get in the way of the game.

His election has nothing to do with his non-Cubs work, but his work with Al McGuire for Marquette basketball was brilliant. Furthermore, he is the perfect producer and voice of his voices of the game series of great baseball broadcasters. He’s curated some of the best examples of what makes the specific individuals great. And unlke most current baseball media members he gives great context and can zoom in and out with ease.

Like others calling games or writing about games, he aspired to play ball professionally, but unlike most, he’ll enter the HOF and be enshrined with several players that he followed as a youth. I can only imagine how cool it will be when Giants like Juan Marichal and Willie Mays welcome him to Cooperstown. He doesn’t talk about relationships they have as adults, but he often talks about his love for the San Franciso iteration growing up in the 60’s and attending games at Candlestick. I know the living Cub HOF’ers will celebrate his induction because he’s been so gracious with all of them.

A decades or so ago I had the pleasure of conducting a brief phone interview with Pat. The focus was his work with 3.5 of the larger-than-life radio voices in the Midwest, Bob Uecker, Al McGuire, Ron Santo and Harry Caray.

Regardless of how the Cubs fare against the Redbirds, today is a great day for Cubs fans. Congrats!