Houston Astros Podcast

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5/11 ASTRO POD featuring Hall of Famer Craig Biggio May 11, 2020

Show notes

He wore #7 on his Astros jersey and played in 7 Major League All-Star Games. He earned 5 Silver Slugger Awards and grinded-out 4 Gold Gloves. He played 20 seasons in the big leagues and all of them for the Houston Astros. In 2015, Craig Biggio was elected to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame and he joins Steve Sparks and Geoff Blum in Episode 16 of Astro Pod. As the entire world adjusts to life with COVID-19, Biggio is finding ways to be thankful for his health while enjoying some down time with family. Biggio talks about the current Astros team, the 2019 World Series, and later reflects on his favorite moments at Minute Maid Park. When asked about playing along side Hall of Fame teammate, Jeff Bagwell, Biggio responds with, “Baggy and I we were just two east coast kids hanging out in Texas in the big leagues, man. There was nothing better than that.”

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5/7 ASTRO POD featuring Joe Espada May 07, 2020

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Episode 15: Joe Espada enters his 3rd season as Astros bench coach and 1st with veteran manager Dusty Baker. Espada played 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues before making his MLB coaching career debut with the Marlins in 2010. Along with Steve Sparks and Robert Ford, Espada talks about his love for the game and what he's learned from making the jump from player to coach. Espada has spent time under big league managers Joe Girardi, Ozzie Guillen, Fredi Gonzalez, Edwin Rodriguez, Jack McKeon and now Dusty Baker. A native of Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Espada has a real passion for the game and is proud of the off-field contributions from the Astros' players. "I always use Roberto Clemente, everybody knew how good he was on the field. But the stuff he did off the field? That's what I value the most. That's (Alex) Bregman, that's (Carlos) Correa, (Justin) Verlander, the Reddicks (Josh) ,,, Lance McCullers, I'm super proud of the work they're doing."

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5/4 ASTRO POD featuring Jim Deshaies, Justin Verlander May 04, 2020

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Jim Deshaies, former big league pitcher and popular television broadcaster, joins his old friend and boothmate Bill Brown for a few laughs in episode 14 of Astro Pod. Deshaies spent 12 seasons on the mound, 7 seasons in an Astros uniform and 16 years as the color commentator in the TV booth from 1997 through 2012. JD and Brownie team up and recall some of their favorite memories. JD also talks about his childhood in Massena, NY, where he was exposed to baseball through New York Yankees and Montreal Expos broadcasts. Deshaies, now in Chicago, is in his 8th season as an analyst working alongside Len Kasper for Cubs television.

Bonus Track: x8 All-Star and x2 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander spoke to members of the media last Thursday. Listen to excerpts from JV's media conference as he talks about recovering and rehabbing after surgery, preparing for the 2020 season and his philanthropic efforts to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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4/30 ASTRO POD featuring All-Star Ryan Pressly, Houston Methodist Apr 30, 2020

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Episode 13: Relief Pitcher Ryan Pressly made his 1st MLB All-Star team in 2019 and has been a huge asset for the Houston Astros bullpen. Last season Pressly posted the longest scoreless appearance streak in Major League history and he talks about it with Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum. Pressly praises his teammates and explains how Pitching Coach Brent Strom (and Astros analytics) helped him improve his pitch selection, which was a big part of his success. Pressly not only thrives on big moment situations but it gives him confidence to face players like Mike Trout with the game on the line, “I love being put in those situations, that’s honestly the best feeling in the world.”

Bonus Track: President and CEO of Houston Methodist, Dr. Marc Boom and Chief of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Dr. David Linter, join Steve Sparks to discuss the COVID-19 virus and its effect on Major League Baseball. Both Dr. Linter, Astros Team Medical Director for over 25 years, and Dr. Boom offer extraordinary advice and explain how the medical world is managing this crisis.

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4/27 ASTRO POD featuring Brent Strom Apr 27, 2020

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Episode 12: Brent Strom was named Baseball America’s 2018 MLB Coach of the Year and has been recognized throughout the world for his proficiency in pitching and biomechanics. Stromy has been in professional baseball since 1970 and first joined the Astros organization in 1989 as a Minor League instructor. Steve Sparks and Robert Ford talk with Strom about those early years and later discuss why pitching mechanics are so important. Storm also provides updates on his 2020 staff, talks about meeting Ted Williams, explains how he ended up marrying Mrs. America and much-much more. Share your thoughts and send questions to radio@astros.com or #AstrosRadio

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4/23 ASTRO POD featuring Lance Berkman Apr 23, 2020

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Episode 11: Big Puma, the 6x All-Star and former infielder/outfielder for the Houston Astros, checks-in with Geoff Blum and Steve Sparks. A fan favorite and huge part of Astro lore, Lance Berkman tells a hilarious story about Hall of Fame teammate Jeff Bagwell, recalls his time with Rice baseball coach Wayne Graham, explains what it’s like calling games from the TV booth and fondly remembers his favorite moment at Minute Maid Park.

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4/20 ASTRO POD featuring Joe Smith, Chris Shepherd Apr 20, 2020

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Episode 10: Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith and wife Allie LaForce (NBA/NCAA reporter) are spearheading Project Frontline which delivers meals to hospital workers in Cleveland and Houston. Smith talks about his initiative to help frontline workers during the COVID-19 crisis with broadcasters Todd Kalas and Steve Sparks. The trio also discuss Smith’s early days in MLB, setting personal goals, staying mentally and physically healthy, playing in his first World Series and later offers advice to young athletes. Next, world-renowned chef Chris Shepherd joins Sparks to highlight Southern Smoke, an emergency relief fund which provides assistance to workers in the food/beverage industry affected by the pandemic. Shepherd has gained notoriety beyond Houston and created this nonprofit to “take care of our own.”

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4/16 ASTRO POD featuring Abraham Toro Apr 16, 2020

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Episode 9: The Astros 2019 Minor League Player of the Year joins television broadcasters Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum. Toro talks about contributing to Justin Verlander’s no-hitter in Toronto, getting the call to the big leagues, switch-hitting and staying baseball-ready for 2020 during the pandemic.

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4/9 ASTRO POD featuring Judge Roy Hofheinz the First Owner of the Houston Franchise Apr 13, 2020

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Episode 8: Long time broadcasters Bill Brown and Steve Sparks team up on this episode to pay homage to one of the founding fathers of the Houston Astros. Brown talks to Dene Hofheinz Anton, Roy's daughter, who describes her father as a visionary who helped bring Major League Baseball to the city of Houston. Grandson Dinn Mann fondly recalls growing up in the 8th Wonder of the World and how his grandfather's influences still affect the fans' experience of attending games today. Sparky and Brownie share their thoughts and evoke stories of how Hofheinz made his mark in Houston and beyond.

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4/9 ASTRO POD featuring Kyle Tucker Apr 09, 2020

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Episode 7: OF Kyle Tucker carved out some time to talk with Todd Kalas and Steve Sparks. Tucker talks about growing up in Tampa Bay and playing with former high school teammate and 2019 NL ROY Pete Alonso. Tucker also reflects on the ‘19 season, AL ROY Yordan Alvarez, stealing bags, passing time gaming with teammates and staying ready for 2020.

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