Houston Astros Podcast

Astros broadcasters bring the ballpark to you with new and entertaining episodes of baseball conversations from people inside the baseball world. Listen to stories told by your favorite players, coaches, broadcasters and from those who know the big leagues the best. Catch new episodes throughout the offseason for the latest news and Hot Stove revelations. During the regular season, we’ll relaunch some of our best interviews, postgame radio highlights, and much more. Astroline is a production of the Houston Astros Radio Network.

Sports
Baseball
151
8/4 ASTROCAST presented by KARBACH – Baker, Bai...
The Astros and Diamondbacks will open a three-game Interleague series tonight in Arizona in a starting pitcher matchup of rookie vs. veteran. Houston rookie RHP Cristian Javier, who’s making his third career MLB appearance and just his second start will face LHP Madison Bumgarner, the veteran of 12 Major League seasons. Robert Ford and Steve Sparks preview Tuesday’s matchup and discuss keys to the game. Ford talks with skipper Dusty Baker and Sparky gets to know rookie RHP Brandon Bailey. Later on, OF Josh Reddick take questions from the media before first pitch at Chase Ballpark. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
25 min
152
8/2 ASTROCAST presented by KARBACH – James Clic...
The Astros wrap up a 3-game set with the Los Angeles Angels after splitting the first 2 games. RHP Josh James will get the start for the 'Stros and squares off against RHP Shohei Ohtani. Robert Ford and Steve Sparks will preview the matchup and will discuss keys to the game. It’s our weekly Sunday Radio Roundtable with General Manager James Click who provides and exclusive update on the team. Finally, Manager Dusty Baker George Springer and Zack Greinke spoke to Houston media following Saturday’s loss to the Angels. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
28 min
153
8/1 ASTROCAST Game Preview at Angels presented ...
It’s Game 2 of a 3-game set in Anaheim as the RHP Zack Greinke faces RHP Griffin Canning. Robert Ford and Steve Sparks bring you LIVE play by play but first preview Saturday’s matchup. 3B/OF Coach Gary Pettis and Sparky connect on Zoom prior to the game and Myles Straw, Josh James, and Skipper Dusty Baker answer questions from the media before 1st pitch.. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
31 min
154
7/31 ASTROCAST Game Preview at Angels presented...
The Astros travel to the West coast to begin a 9-game road trip which begins Friday night in Anaheim. Robert Ford and Steve Sparks will cover the action LIVE on Astros Radio and preview Friday’s matchup of RHP Lance McCullers, Jr. and RHP Matt Andriese. Ford recaps the Dodger’s series with Manager Dusty Baker and Sparky talks welcomes rookie LHP Blake Taylor. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
9 min
155
7/29 ASTROCAST Game Preview vs Dodgers presente...
Big and Bright Wednesday night as the Astros complete a 2-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robert Ford and Steve Sparks preview the rookie matchup between RHP Christian Javier and RHP Dustin May. Ford recaps Tuesday’s game with Manager Dusty Baker and Sparky talks to Geoff Blum about the Stros season up to this point. Finally, Lance McCullers Jr., and Andre Scrubb host questions from the Houston media prior to first pitch. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
23 min
156
7/28 ASTROCAST Game Preview Dodgers presented b...
The Dodgers are in H-Town and the Astros host a 2-game series beginning Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. LHP Framber Valdez squares off against LA’s RHP Walker Buehler and Astros Radio previews the matchup. Manager Dusty Baker sits down with Robert Ford and Rookie Brandon Bielak talks over his Major League debut with Steve Sparks. Finally, GM James Click talks the media prior to first pitch. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
23 min
157
7/27 ASTROCAST Game Preview presented by KARBAC...
It’s Monday night baseball as the Astros will wrap up their four-game set with the Seattle Mariners. RHP Josh James faces RHP Kendall Gravemen as Robert Ford and Steve Sparks preview the final game of the series. Manager Dusty Baker sits down with Ford and later Cy Sneed talks to Sparky via zoom. Finally, George Springer and Kyle Tucker take questions from the media before Monday’s first pitch. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
22 min
158
7/26 ASTROCAST Game Preview presented by KARBAC...
From the radio booth, Robert Ford and Steve Sparks preview Sunday’s matchup between RHP Zach Greinke and Seattle’s LHP Yusei Kikuchi. It’s a Sunday Radio Roundtable as Astros GM James Click joins Ford and Sparks before 1st pitch from Minute Maid Park. Finally, IF Aledmys Diaz was placed on the IL and talks to the Houston media following Saturday’s 7-2 victory. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
17 min
159
7/25 ASTROCAST Game 2 Preview presented by KARB...
Robert Ford and Steve Sparks preview Saturday’s day game at Minute Maid Park. RHP Lance McCullers, Jr. takes the mound for the Astros for the first time since having Tommy John surgery in 2018. Ford and Sparks preview the matchup against the Mariners with Pitching Coach Brent Strom. Rookie southpaw Blake Taylor made his Major League debut in Friday’s season opener and he talks about his debut outing. Manager Dusty Baker recaps Friday’s victory and talks about what he expects from McCullers on Saturday. Finally, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle talks to Ford about the 2020 season. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
39 min
160
7/24 OPENING DAY ASTROCAST presented by KARBACH...
Baseball is Back! Broadcasters Robert Ford and Steve Sparks break down Friday’s Season Opener as veteran RHP Justin Verlander squares off against Seattle Mariners LHP Marco Gonzales. Manager Dusty Baker, Alex Bregman, and Lance McCullers, Jr. discuss what Opening Day means to them in 2020 as MLB begins its 60-game schedule. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
18 min
161
7/23 ASTROS SUMMER CAMP – James Click, Dusty Ba...
This week General Manager James Click, Manager Dusty Baker, Jose Altuve, Josh James, and Opening Day starter Justin Verlander took questions from sports reporters at Minute Maid Park. Listen back to excerpts from the Summer Camp press conference as the Astros prepare for Opening Day 2020. The Houston Astros Official Podcast is presented by Karbach Brewing, Crafted for Serious Fun.
51 min
162
7/16 ASTROS SUMMER CAMP – Happy Hour, Bregman, ...
This week Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, pitching coach Brent Strom, manager Dusty Baker, Yuli Gurriel and Bryan Abreu took questions from sports reporters at Minute Maid Park. Listen back to excerpts from the Summer Camp press conference as the Astros prepare for Opening Day 2020. But first, it’s Happy Hour with Astros broadcasters Julia Morales-Clarke, Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum, Robert Ford and Steve Sparks. Listen to a preview of the Official Broadcasters Happy Hour presented by Budweiser, then join us for a few laughs at YouTube.com/Astros.
40 min
163
7/13 ASTROS SUMMER CAMP – Dusty Baker, Aledmys ...
On Sunday, Manager Dusty Baker, Bench Coach Joe Espada, and IF Aledmys Diaz took questions from sports reporters at Minute Maid Park. Listen back to excerpts from the Summer Camp press conference as the Astros prepare for the July 24th opener against the Seattle Mariners.
27 min
164
7/9 ASTRO POD – Assistant General Manager Pete ...
Robert Ford and Steve Sparks invite asst. GM Pete Putila to Episode 34 of AstroPod. Putila talks about the landscape of the 2020 roster as players continue to work out at Minute Maid Park during Summer Camp. Putila has been involved with baseball operations with a focus on player development and sports medicine and player performance. “He’s a future general manager in waiting (and) he’s done a great job with the Astros farm system,” mentions Sparks. Putila enters his 10th season with the Astros organization.
42 min
165
7/6 ASTRO POD – Baseball is back! Bill Brown, S...
Broadcasters Bill Brown and Steve Sparks analyze the upcoming 2020 60-game season. Which teams are best built for the shortened season? How will gameday strategies affect managerial decisions? How will Dusty Baker and Brent Strom formulate their starting rotation and relief core? Brown and Sparks break down some of the Summer Camp's burning questions. BONUS TRACK: Joe Niekro played 11 seasons in an Astros uniform and is the all-time franchise leader with 144 victories. From 1977-’83, “Knucksie” Niekro led the NL in innings pitched (1,857), was secondmost in strikeouts (1,228) and set a single-season franchise record in ’79 for wins with a 21-11 record. Listen to Brown and Spaky discuss Joe’s knuckleball career before Knucksie stops by the radio booth in a 1999 broadcast in the Astrodome.
43 min
166
7/4 ASTROS SUMMER CAMP – Jose Altuve, Dusty Bak...
Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Jose Altuve. It’s 4th of July and Summer Camp is in full swing. Six time All Star, Gold Glover and AL MVP Jose Altuve spoke to Houston Media following workouts on Saturday. Manager Dusty Baker answered questions for a second straight day and All Star Chris “Devo” Devenski talked about ramping up to the 2020 season.
26 min
167
7/3 ASTROS SUMMER CAMP – Lance McCullers, Jr., ...
Baseball is back and Summer Camp has begun at Minute Maid Park for the Astros. On Friday, general manager James Click and manager Dusty Baker took questions from reporters about preparing their players and rosters for the upcoming 2020 season. Lance McCullers Jr. missed the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and talks about his physical and mental state and getting back to baseball. Finally, Kyle Tucker shares his thoughts on preparing, playing and navigating through a challenging 60-game season.
38 min
168
7/2 ASTRO POD – Geoff Blum, Killer Bees?
Geoff Blum was a switch-hitting utility player for the Houston Astros in 2002-’03 and from 2008 through 2010. Originally selected in the 7th round of the 1994 amateur draft by the Montreal Expos, Blum spent 14 seasons in the Major League and played for 7 big league clubs. Now, as a popular television broadcaster, Blummer often enjoys reflecting on his time in an Astros uniform and the Killer B’s. Today, with a little help from the former radio team of Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan, Blum looks back to July 2, 2009, in San Diego where a swarm of bees caused a significant delay in the 9th inning. As MLB prepares for Summer Camp 2020, Blumer and AstroPod go deep into the archives for this off-the-bee’tn path baseball memory.
46 min
169
6/29 ASTRO POD – Jose Cruz, Milo Hamilton
Jose Cruz played 18 seasons in the Major Leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals, Astros and the New York Yankees. Nicknamed “Cheo”, the two-time All Star held Astros franchise records in games played, at-bats, hits, total bases and triples at the time of his retirement in 1988. Currently, his 80 career triples remains a franchise record. Cruz and longtime Astros broadcaster Bill Brown sit down to discuss and highlight Cheo’s remarkable career. Cruz is ultimately grateful for the Astros fans, “I had a great career, I say I don’t look back. I’m happy with what God gave me and I’m happy I stayed all my life in Houston.” BONUS TRACK: Legend and Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton made his last Astros Radio appearance on June 28, 2015. Milo was a Big League broadcaster for more than 55 years with stops in St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and ultimately Houston beginning in 1985. Listen back to Milo’s final appearance with Robert Ford and Steve Sparks, as Milo highlights the illustrious career of Yogi Berra. Tweet us @AstrosRadioMLB and leave comments radio@astros.com
40 min
170
6/25 ASTRO POD – LET’S PLAY, Baseball is back P...
Major League Baseball officially announced a plan to return to play in 2020 which will lead up to a 60-game regular season schedule. Broadcasters Todd Kalas and Steve Sparks analyze the recent announcement and discuss what this means for the Houston Astros and the world of baseball. General Manager James Click joins Sparky and TK for an in-depth conversation about what happens now? What are the protocols and how do teams navigate a season with so many uncertanities? Manager Dusty Baker and Astros Owner Jim Crane also take questions from the Houston media in a jam-packed episode of Astro Pod. Tweet us @AstrosRadioMLB and leave comments radio@astros.com
50 min
171
6/22 ASTRO POD featuring Brian McTaggart
There's more to baseball than what fans see and hear on the field. Oftentimes, our eyes and ears of the ballpark come from our favorite broadcasters, photographers and reporters who cover this game each day and every day, with or without games being played. Brian McTaggart is a fan favorite who has been reporting, traveling and writing about the Houston Astros for 17 seasons and is the author of "100 Things Astros Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Broadcaster Steve Sparks catches up with the MLB.com reporter to see how he has been spending his time during the ambiguous 2020 season. McTaggart shares stories of growing up in Pasadena, spending his childhood at the Astrodome, writing for the Houston Post, attending U of H, covering the Little League World Series, Rice baseball and watching his favorite athlete, Hakeem Olajuwon. Episode 28 with McTaggart covers a lot of baseball but it takes us off the field for a few adventures as well.
47 min
172
6/18 ASTRO POD featuring Mr. Astro Larry Dierker
Nobody in Astros history has played, pitched, hit, Managed, broadcast, or wore Hawaiian shirts like baseball legend Larry Dierker. Mr. Astro began his career on his 18th birthday pitching for the Colt 45’s in 1964. A x2 All Star, Dierker played 14 seasons in the Big Leagues and threw a no-hitter against the Montreal Expos in the Astrodome. From 1997 through 2001, Dierker Managed the Astros and was named the National League Manager of the Year in 1998. Episode 27 features one of the most beloved people in Astros lore and broadcasters Steve Sparks and Todd Kalas had the pleasure of looking back at Dierker’s remarkable career.
48 min
173
Francisco y Alex en Charla con Aledmys Díaz
El Podcast en español mas reciente de Astros de Houston tiene como invitado al jugador utility de ascendencia Cubana, Aledmys Díaz.  Francisco Romero y Alex Treviño, los anfitriones del Podcast. Díaz nos relata, en una platica muy amena, varios aspectos de su vida y su paso por el béisbol Mexicano.
26 min
174
6/15 ASTRO POD 2020 Draft Recap featuring Brian...
The Astros selected 2 pitchers, an outfielder and a shortstop in the 2020 MLB Draft. In Episode 26, broadcasters Todd Kalas, Steve Sparks and Brian Bogusevic analyze Houston’s picks and discuss how these players fit into the organization. Bogusevic was a 2-way player at Tulane University (pitcher/OF) and was selected in the first round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Astros. Bogusevic, now a broadcaster for AT&T SportsNet, talks about his experiences and the pressures being a first rounder, “At that time the Astros were coming off a World Series appearance. So being a high pick, there is pressure on you but at the same time you get the most opportunity. You know, if I wasn’t a first round pick I probably wouldn’t have gotten much of an opportunity to convert to an outfielder and be given a second chance.” BONUS TRACK: The Astros selected 18-year-old high school pitcher, Alex Santos, in the 2020 Draft. RHP Santos played at Mount Saint Micheal Academy in the Bronx, NY. Shortly after Santos was selected by general manager James Click he spoke to the Houston media via Zoom. Listen to an excerpt from Santos’ first MLB press conference.
46 min
175
6/11 ASTRO POD featuring Cy Sneed, James Click,...
Cy Sneed was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in Round 3 of the 2014 MLB Draft. Traded to the Astros in 2015, Cy Sneed made his big league debut out of the bullpen in June of 2019. Sneed is a young prospect who is preparing for the 2020 season at his home in Kenai, Alaska. Broadcaster Todd Kalas spent some time talking to Sneed, who took questions from youngsters as part of the Astros Buddies and Future Astros Program. Sneed has been a substitute teacher the past 4 offseasons and offers some advice for kids who are involved in youth sports across the state of Texas. BONUS TRACK: General manager James Click joins the Broadcaster Happy Hour with Julia Morales, Robert Ford, Todd Kalas, Steve Sparks and Geoff Blum. The group welcomes Click to Houston, virtually of course, and discuss the 2020 MLB Draft. Watch the entire conversation here.
48 min