Hughes is named Illinois Sportscaster of Year

Cubs radio play-by-play man Pat Hughes was named the 2009 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. This is Hughes' eighth Sportscaster of the Year honor and his fifth in Illinois. He was honored as Wisconsin's Sportscaster of the Year in 1990, 1991 and 1992. "I would like to thank the Cubs fans for being the greatest audience that a broadcaster could ever dream of," Hughes said. "I would also like to thank all of those who voted for me."

Hughes is entering his 15th season with the Cubs, teaming with Ron Santo on the Cubs Radio Network. The 2010 season will be Hughes' 28th of broadcasting Major League Baseball. Hughes also produces an audio series called "Baseball Voices," which focuses on the careers of some of the game's top announcers. Among the voices are Harry Caray, Red Barber, Jack Buck, Bob Uecker, Harry Kalas and Dave Niehaus.

Rockies negotiate with Tim Redding

According to a Major League source, the Rockies are negotiating with one of their past targets, right-handed pitcher Tim Redding. Last winter, the Rockies intended to acquire Redding from the Nationals before he was non-tendered. Redding signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets as a free agent and went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games, including 17 starts in his mets jersey.

The Rockies were not a finalist in the chase for former Pirates reliever Matt Capps, who is deciding between the Nationals and the Cubs. Redding could be asked to add the energy and experience to the bullpen.

Soriano had surgery yesterday

It is reported that Cubs' left fielder Alfonso Soriano had surgery yesterday on his broken left knee and he will miss the rest of the season. Soriano has suffered much in the joint for most of the season. He last played in the match on Sept. 3.

Team orthopedist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo performed the surgery and before he goes back to the Dominican Republic for the rest of the season, Soriano will then have three weeks to recover with the Cubs' training staff.