Tex Hughson
Encyclopedia
Cecil Carlton Hughson, was a Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
who played his entire career in the American League
with the Boston Red Sox
(1941–44, 1946–49). He batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Buda, Texas
, Hughson assisted University of Texas at Austin
. He was a successful and competitive pitcher in major league who was not averse to throwing close to batters, changing speeds by mixing in a hard fastball
and an overhand curveball
. At the height of his career, injuries in his arm and shoulder threatened permanent disability and hastened his retirement.
Hughson enjoyed his best season in 1942, posting a 22-6 record with a 2.59 ERA
, and also leading the league in victories
, strikeouts (113), complete games (22), innings pitched
(281.0) and batters faced
(1150). In 1943 he won 12 games with 114 strikeouts, a 2.64 ERA, and again led the league in complete games (20). He also had his best year batting, posting career highs in hits
, runs
, doubles
, walks
, batting average
, and RBI's. He had an 18-5 mark in 1944, topping the league in winning percentage (.783) and WHIP
(9.43), and also reached a career-best ERA of 2.26.
After serving in the military
for one year, Hughson won 20 games in 1946, led the league in walks per nine innings (1.65), set a career high in strikeouts with 179, and completed 30 of 35 starts. In 1947 Hughson won 12 games, and finished his career at 33 years old after two seasons as a reliever
.
In an eight-year career, Hughson posted a 96-54 record with 693 strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA in 1375.2 innings. His control was so good, that he recorded an effective 1.86 strikeout-to-walk ratio (693-to-372). Beside this, he was selected a three-time All-Star
(1942–44).
Tex Hughson died in San Marcos, Texas
, at age of 77. He was enshrined in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
in November 2002. Hughson Street in San Marcos is named in his honor.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who played his entire career in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1941–44, 1946–49). He batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Buda, Texas
Buda, Texas
Buda is a city in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,404 at the 2000 census. City leaders estimated the population exceeded 5,100 in 2008 and the official 2009 Census Bureau estimate showed the population had increased to 7,784 as of July 1, 2009. The 2010 US Census listed...
, Hughson assisted University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He was a successful and competitive pitcher in major league who was not averse to throwing close to batters, changing speeds by mixing in a hard fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and an overhand curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
. At the height of his career, injuries in his arm and shoulder threatened permanent disability and hastened his retirement.
Hughson enjoyed his best season in 1942, posting a 22-6 record with a 2.59 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and also leading the league in victories
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, strikeouts (113), complete games (22), innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(281.0) and batters faced
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
(1150). In 1943 he won 12 games with 114 strikeouts, a 2.64 ERA, and again led the league in complete games (20). He also had his best year batting, posting career highs in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, and RBI's. He had an 18-5 mark in 1944, topping the league in winning percentage (.783) and WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
(9.43), and also reached a career-best ERA of 2.26.
After serving in the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
for one year, Hughson won 20 games in 1946, led the league in walks per nine innings (1.65), set a career high in strikeouts with 179, and completed 30 of 35 starts. In 1947 Hughson won 12 games, and finished his career at 33 years old after two seasons as a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
.
In an eight-year career, Hughson posted a 96-54 record with 693 strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA in 1375.2 innings. His control was so good, that he recorded an effective 1.86 strikeout-to-walk ratio (693-to-372). Beside this, he was selected a three-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(1942–44).
Tex Hughson died in San Marcos, Texas
San Marcos, Texas
San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio....
, at age of 77. He was enshrined in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame was instituted in 1995 to recognize the careers of former Boston Red Sox baseball players. A 15-member selection committee of Red Sox broadcasters and executives, past and present media personnel, and representatives from The Sports Museum of New England and the...
in November 2002. Hughson Street in San Marcos is named in his honor.
See also
External links
- Cowboy on the Mound: The Tex Hughson Story
- Tex Hughson at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
- 1942 Al Mathewson Award (article)
- American Heroes (profile)
- Baseball Reference (career statistics and analysis)