As much as Wrigley Field's ivy-covered brick walls or the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," hearing Pat Hughes calling games on the radio has become synonymous with baseball on the North Side of Chicago. Fans can rest assured that he will continue on as the voice of the Cubs.
On Thursday, the Cubs and Entercom announced that Hughes has been signed to a multi-year extension to serve as the team's radio play-by-play man on WSCR-AM 670 The Score, alongside color analyst Ron Coomer. The 2019 campaign will mark Hughes' 24th in the radio booth for the Cubs.
"For more than two decades, Pat has brought Cubs games to life for our fans as the radio voice of the Cubs," Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said in a release. "He has delivered countless monumental play-by-play calls from walk-off victories to no-hitters and of course, our 2016 World Series win.
"We look forward to Pat continuing to make history with our team and deliver many more memorable moments for our fans."
Hughes, who joined the Cubs' booth in 1996, is an eight-time recipient of the Illinois Sportscaster of the Year Award, and he was nominated again for his work during the 2018 season. Prior to joining the Cubs' broadcast team, Hughes spent a dozen years working alongside Bob Uecker on Brewers broadcasts. He cut his baseball broadcasting teeth calling Minor Leagues games with the San Jose Missions ('78-81) and Columbus Clippers ('82).
"Pat is the iconic voice of the Chicago Cubs," senior vice president and market manager for Entercom Chicago Jimmy de Castro said in a statement. "We are both proud and honored to have him on our team at 670 The Score and Entercom Chicago. Pat is the eyes and ears for so many Cubs fans both in Chicago and worldwide. We are thrilled he will continue as the radio voice for multiple years to come."
Multiple reports also surfaced earlier this week that the Cubs are exploring partners for the launch of their own regional sports network (reportedly to be called "Marquee") following the 2019 season. Cubs games are currently aired on NBC Sports Chicago, but the deal expires in '19. Chicago has not made any formal announcements on that front.