Hugh Gustafson was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on February 8, 1915. Gustafson excelled in football, hockey, and baseball. He was a pitcher and first baseman with the Sherburn juniors in 1935, and a Winnipeg Maroon of the Northern League in 1936. He was a unanimous choice for all-star rating in 1939, as he was the Leagues top hitter (.367) and he had the best fielding average (.985). Gustafson played for Madison (Class B) in the 3 Eye League, Milwaukee (Class AA) of the American Association, and he was playing manager for Alex Turk’s Elmwood Giants in the Manitoba-Dakota League.
