Scott Hughes

Class of 2014

Utility

Augusta Athletics 1989-99, 2001-06

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The Augusta Athletics built their dynasty of the 1990’s on the double barreled formula of power hitting and power pitching.  Exemplifying these game altering traits better than anyone was Augusta legend, Scott Hughes.

An imposing presence both from the mound and in the batter’s box, no player in CRBL history led or tied for the league lead in single-season statistical categories more than Hughes.  In total, the big righty paced the CRBL 35 times in 14 out of a possible 18 individual areas.

As a pitcher, “Hughey” was a league leader 23 times.  Specifically, he led the CRBL in innings pitched twice (80.1 in 1999 and 64 in 2004), ERA twice (3.06 in 1995 and 0.75 in 2001), wins in five seasons (9 in 1994, 7 in 1997, 7 in 1998, 11 in 1999, and 7 in 2003), winning percentage six times (1.000 in 1994, .875 in 1997, .875 in 1998, 1.000 in 1999, .833 in 2002, and .875 in 2003), strikeouts once (67 in 1997), saves once (2 in 1993), and shutouts six times (2 in 1993, 1 in 1996, 1 in 2001, 3 in 2002, 2 in 2003, and 2 in 2006).

As a hitter, Big Scott was a pace setter 12 times.  In two seasons, he was a CRBL batting champion (.493 in 1989 and .510 in 1990), once in at-bats (71 in 1994), four times in hits (33 in 1989, 31 in 1994, 33 in 1997, and 34 in 1999), once in doubles (9 in 1994), once in home runs (7 in 1993), once in RBI’s (26 in 1993), and twice in runs scored (29 in 1995 and 30 in 1997).

Scott’s ascension to a top flight, multi-threat player came in 1994 when he went an undisputed 9 an 0, tying for the league lead in wins (9) and shutouts (2) while pacing the CRBL outright in K’s with 67 and winning percentage (1.000).  During this breakout season, the Augusta ace also spun the 28^th no-hitter in CRBL history with a 12 to 0, 9-inning gem vs. the Bloomer Fightin’ Woodticks.  That same season, Hughes also led the league in at-bats (71), hits (31), doubles (9), runs scored (29), and became one of only 13 hitters in league history to have 6 hits in a game, doing so against the Cadott Red Sox.

Hughes’ full arsenal of historical talent was no more evident than in 1999 when he had arguably the greatest pitching and hitting season ever in league play.  Hitting .459 with a league leading 34 hits in 74 at-bats, Scott drove in 23 runs and scored 17 while banging 8 doubles and 5 home runs all while drawing just 6 walks.  Concertedly from the slab, the high-kicking righty with the windmill wind-up also set a still standing season record for winning percentage at 1.000, claiming a clean slate of 11 wins without a defeat.  The win total paced the 10-team CRBL as did his 80.1 innings pitched.

Accordingly, Scott was named All-CRBL a total of eight times (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002) while participating in 15 All-Star games (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006).  In three All-Star exhibitions, Hughes was the best of the best, getting named the contest’s MVP in 1989 (retroactively in 2017) 1994, 1996, and 2003.

The game changing skills that Hughey forcefully imparted on the CRBL became one of the pillars upon which Augusta rose to be a preeminent league power.  In the Big Righty’s 17 seasons of CRBL play, Augusta captured seven South Division titles, five CRBL crowns, qualified for 16 WBA tournaments, survived to play in six Final 8’s, and played in three WBA championship games.  Perhaps the flash point of success amidst this excess of winning came in 1994, when Hughes and the Athletics won the elusive WBA championship, triumphing over the Abbotsford Merchants 8 to 4 in the title game.  It represented the first time a CRBL team had won the WBA tournament since the Thorp Cardinals in 1953.

Off the hill, Hughes’ highest ranking upon induction can be found in shutouts where he is 3^rd.  He can also be found ranked among the greats in winning percentage (4^th), wins (5^th), innings pitched (14^th), strikeouts (16^th), saves (tied for 21^st), ERA (28^th),  and K/9 IP (47^th).

As a hitter, Scott’s best rank is in batting average where he is 2^nd.  His other high marks in batsmanship are in home runs (3^rd), slugging percentage (3^rd), RBI’s (5^th), runs scored (5^th), total bases (6^th), doubles (7^th), hits (9^th), singles (15^th), at-bats (24^th), games played (25^th), and base on balls (42^nd).

(Biographical information amended, 2018)