Jay Hughes

James H. Hughes

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Weight 185 lb.

• Debut April 18, 1898
• Final Game September 27, 1902
• Born January 22, 1874 in Sacramento, CA USA
• Died June 2, 1924 in Sacramento, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jay Hughes, also called Jim Hughes, was a successful pitcher during his four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas around the turn of the 20th century. Afterwards, he left major league baseball because he wanted to be on the west coast.

Hughes came to Brooklyn with expectations on both sides, since his namesake Mickey Hughes had pitched in Brooklyn in 1888 and won 25 games. Some sources state that the two were brothers, but Census data disproves this. However, Jay started in Baltimore - he pitched in an exhibition game against the Orioles and shut them out, so manager Ned Hanlon signed him up. In 1898, in the heart of the lively ball era, he went 23-12 for a team that went 96-53. Jay was second on the team in victories behind Doc McJames, who had 27. He pitched a no-hitter that year. He also played in 15 games in the outfield, with a low seasonal batting average but showing some power.

The next year, 1899, he came to Brooklyn (owned by the same people who owned Baltimore, the result of syndicate ownership), going 28-6. The team won the pennant, winning 101 games. Hughes led the National League in both victories and in winning percentage.

He was not with Brooklyn in 1900 (he was with Sacramento), but returned in 1901 and went 17-12. Wild Bill Donovan led the team in victories. In 1902, he was 15-11. Frank Kitson led the team in victories.

In Hughes' four-year major league career, he was always over .500 in victories, and always played on winning teams.

In 1903 he won 34 games with Seattle and followed up in 1904 with 26 victories.

Notable Achievements

• NL Wins Leader (1899)
• NL Winning Percentage Leader (1899)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 4 (1898, 1899, 1901 & 1902)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1898 & 1899)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1898, 1899, 1901 & 1902)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1898)

Related Sites

• Jay Hughes at the SABR Bio Project