Phil Hughes attended Foothill High School in Santa Ana, California, where he was a first-team High School All-American pitcher and threw one perfect game. In his junior year (2003) he was 12-0, and posted an 0.78 ERA while striking out 85 batters in 72 innings. In his senior year (2004) he had a 9-1 record, with a 0.69 ERA. In 61 innings he gave up 40 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 83 batters.

Hughes first committed to Santa Clara University, but was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (23rd overall) in June 2004. The Yankees were awarded this pick when they lost free agent pitcher Andy Pettitte to the Houston Astros.

Hughes, the second-youngest player in the American League in 2007, made his major league debut on April 26, 2007 against the Toronto Blue Jays wearing number 65 (he wears 65 because he wanted to wear a number ending in five, and every lower number ending in five was taken or retired (5 Joe DiMaggio, 15 Thurman Munson, 25 Jason Giambi, 35 Mike Mussina, 45 Carl Pavano, 55 Hideki Matsui). In four and a third innings, he allowed four runs on seven hits, earning his first career loss. In his second major league start on May 1, 2007 against the Texas Rangers, he was dominant and in control while maintaining a no-hitter through 6 and 1/3 innings before pulling his left hamstring on an 0-2 curveball to Mark Teixeira.[9] He returned on August 4 against the Kansas City Royals, in a 4.2-inning no-decision.

Hughes made his first post-season appearance in 2007 against the Indians pitching in relief in Game 1. He relieved Roger Clemens and pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in Game 3. He struck out four and earned his first playoff win. Ironically, the youngest person on the Yankees roster (Hughes, 21) replaced the oldest person on the roster (Roger Clemens, 45) when Clemens left with a hamstring injury.

For the 2008 season Phil will be wearing number 34, a number he wore in high school, and for the 2006 Futures Game.

--Wikipedia