Tex Hughson

Cecil Carlton Hughson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 198 lb.
• School University of Texas at Austin
• High School Kyle High School
• Debut April 16, 1941
• Final Game October 2, 1949
• Born February 9, 1916 in Buda, TX USA
• Died August 6, 1993 in San Marcos, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Tex Hughson played eight years in the majors, all with the Boston Red Sox. He was one of baseball's top hurlers of the 1940s, winning 96 games, and was a three-time All-Star.

After playing at the University of Texas, Hughson began his pro career in 1937, going 8-6 with a 2.33 ERA for the Moultrie Packers of the Georgia-Florida League. With the Canton Terriers the following year, he led the Middle Atlantic League with 22 wins. He went 7-11 with a 3.92 ERA for the Louisville Colonels during the 1940 season and then was 5-0 in the postseason.

Hughson reached the majors with the Red Sox in 1941, making his debut on April 16th against the Washington Senators. He was back with Louisville for May and June, but he returned to the majors in early July, joining the Boston rotation. He won his first 3 starts, going the distance in all of them, and overall was 5-3 with a 4.13 ERA in 12 outings before an injury ended his season in August. He had a breakout season the next year, leading the American League with 22 wins, 22 complete games, and 113 strikeouts. He also made the All-Star team for the first time and finished sixth in Most Valuable Player voting. He began 1943 with an 11-7 record through the end of July but suffered a broken thumb and ended the year at 12-15. Nonetheless, he once again paced the AL in complete games with 20 and was chosen an All-Star again. He bounced back and had another fine year in 1944, going 18-5 with a career-best 2.26 ERA while leading the AL with a .783 winning percentage. However, he left the club for the Army in August, and the Red Sox dropped from second place to fourth after his departure.

Hughson missed the 1945 season serving in World War II and was discharged in January 1946. Back with the Red Sox that summer, he won 20 games and recorded career-highs in strikeouts (172) and shutouts (6). On September 13th, he was the winning pitcher when Boston beat the Cleveland Indians 1-0 to clinch the American League pennant. In the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, he started Game 1 and Game 4 and made a relief appearance in Game 6, going 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA as his club lost in seven games.

Struggling with arm troubles in 1947, Hughson's record fell to 12-11, and his ERA climbed to 3.33. Injuries continued in 1948, and he spent a portion of the year back in the minors with the Austin Pioneers, going 4-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 10 outings. Back with Boston in July, he went 3-1 in 15 relief appearances but posted an uncharacteristically high 5.12 ERA. He went 4-2 with a 5.33 ERA in 1949 and was sold to the New York Giants after the season. He refused to report to the Giants and opted to retire instead.

Overall during his career, Hughson was 96-54 with a 2.94 ERA and 99 complete games. During the majority of his career, he wore the same number (21) as future UT alum and Red Sox hurler Roger Clemens. He was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor in 1970, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002.

After his baseball career, Hughson was a real estate developer in San Marcos, Texas and was also a member of the San Marcos School Board. He died of kidney failure at age 77.

Hughson was a cousin of big leaguer Jack Creel.

Notable Achievements

• 3-time AL All-Star (1942-1944)
• AL Wins Leader (1942)
• AL Winning Percentage Leader (1944)
• AL innings Pitched Leader (1942)
• AL Strikeouts Leader (1942)
• 2-time AL Complete Games Leader (1942 & 1943)
• 15 Wins Seasins: 3 (1942, 1944 & 1946)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1942 & 1946)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1942-1944 & 1946)

Related Sites

• Tex Hughson at the SABR Bio Project