Hugh Mulcahy was born September 9, 1913, in Brighton, MA.

In high school, Hugh was named to Boston's All-City team, and, in 1932, pitched with the Allston Braves of the semipro Boston Twilight League. Hugh's performance earned him a tryout with the New York Giants in 1933 and an assignment to Attleboro of the New England League. For 1934, Hugh signed with Manchester in the Northeastern League and compiled a 14-10 record. Hugh was invited to the 1935 Washington Senators spring training, but left for Albany of the International League, where the Albany Senators' owner and scout Joe Cambria was convinced of Hugh's potential and tried to trade him to the Phillies, who needed pitching.

Hugh was brought in for a tryout and, at age 21, made his Major League debut as a relief pitcher for the Phillies against the Pirates in Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, retiring in succession MLB Hall of Famers Paul Waner, Lloyd Waner, and Arky Vaughan. In 1937, Hugh was the stronghold of the Phillies' staff, leading the league with 56 appearances and 261 innings as a starter and in relief. In 1938, Hugh made 46 appearances, with 34 starts, pitching 267.1 innings, with a 10-20 record. In 1940, Hugh was named to the National League All-Star team, started 36 games, and completed 21, the third most in the National League.

On March 8, 1941, one day before he was to report to spring training, Hugh became the first Major League player drafted for World War II. Instead of throwing fast balls, Hugh spent 53 months in the U.S. Army serving in the Pacific Theater and was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service. After his honorable discharge on August 5, 1945, Hugh rejoined the Phillies and pitched in five games, receiving a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans as he took the field upon his return.

In 1946, Hugh asked the Phillies to be released, but he was not released until January 28, 1947. Hugh then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates to be close to his wife in their home in Beaver, PA. Hugh's last year in the Majors was 1947 with the Pirates. Hugh finished his baseball career in 1951 after going 9-15 with the Albany Senators of the Eastern League, completing a circle that began over 16 years earlier on his way to the Majors, when he wore an Albany uniform.

The White Sox hired Hugh as a minor league pitching coach and scout. Hugh ran minor league training camp for the White Sox for years and, in 1974, Hugh was named White Sox Man of the Year. In 1955, Hugh had invented a machine that returned the ball automatically to the pitcher.

Hugh Noyes Mulcahy died October 19, 2001, at age 88, in Aliquippa, PA.