CINCINNATI -- Reliever Jared Hughes' first season with the Reds was a personal success in many ways. And when the Cincinnati chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted him as the annual Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award winner earlier this month, it was a good harbinger that Hughes won't be receiving a lump of coal this year in his Christmas stocking.
The recipient of the Johnny Vander Meer Most Outstanding Pitcher Award, Hughes posted a 1.94 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over a club-leading 72 relief appearances.
It should be a festive holiday at the Hughes' household in Texas. Jared and his wife, Kelly, welcomed a baby daughter, Hallie, last month. Hallie joins older brother, Will, who is nearly 2 years old.
Recently, MLB.com checked in with Hughes to find out about his holiday plans and favorite traditions in the annual Holiday Q&A.
MLB.com:Going back to your childhood, what is your favorite Hughes holiday tradition?
Hughes: Let's see here. It's wearing pajamas all day. All day long, we're in pajamas.
MLB.com:Is Christmas more special this year now that you and your wife have two very little kids?
Hughes: It's so cool now to have family coming over and a little more control over how we celebrate, but pajamas all day is the big thing for us.
MLB.com:When you were young, was there a favorite Christmas gift you received?
Hughes: I loved Matchbox cars. I got a baseball glove at one point in time that was very special to me. I used it for years. Those were some big ones.
MLB.com:Do you have a favorite Christmas movie?
Hughes: "The Santa Clause," with Tim Allen. It's got some good quotes. "Cocoa is a superior refreshment." I use that quote sometimes when I drink hot cocoa.
MLB.com:What about a favorite Christmas song?
Hughes: I've been playing a lot of Christmas songs lately. My favorite is "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." My son thinks it's funny.
MLB.com:Besides the family get together, do you have any holiday plans?
Hughes: No, we're staying in town since we have the little baby. Family is coming to us to see the baby. It's kind of madness with two under 2.
MLB.com:Do you have a wish for the Reds in 2019?
Hughes: I want all of my teammates to stay healthy over the next season. I think if we stay healthy that good things will happen.
MLB.com:What about a holiday wish or greeting for Reds fans?
Hughes: Thank you, Reds fans. To celebrate Christmas, there's very little green and a whole lot of red in my house.