Born in Ancón, Panama Canal Zone, the son of a police official working in the then-American-controlled Canal Zone territory,[1] Hughes was a right-handed pitcher who batted left-handed and was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg).

But he was treated late in 1956 for elbow soreness, then missed the entire 1958 campaign and almost all of 1959 while serving in the United States Army.

With the Redbirds languishing in the second division, manager Solly Hemus gave the rookie two auditions as a starting pitcher, with both games against the Chicago Cubs.

[3] Eight days later, at Busch Stadium, Hughes retired only four batters, and was charged with surrendering four hits and four earned runs.

[4] In 1960, Hughes returned to the minor leagues and spent two more seasons in the Cardinal organization before retiring from pro baseball.