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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

3B/Outfield Coach Gary Pettis played 14 season in the Major Leagues. Pettis roamed the outfield from 1982-1992 for x4 MLB teams, stole 354 bases, lead the league in several defensive categories, and was a x5 Gold Glove Award winner. In Episode 24, Steve Sparks and Robert Ford discuss Pettis’ accomplished career, growing up in Oakland and playing with superstars Rickey Hendrson, Dave Stewart, Lloyd Moseby and raising four children with his wife Peggy. Pettis also shares his thoughts on the current state of MLB. “I can remember the days being a former player-rep. I can kinda’ look at what’s going on and see that there’s some challenges ahead and hopefully cooler heads will prevail and maybe we can get back to doing what everybody wants to do and what they do best.” Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Joe Biagini was traded to Houston in July of 2019 and pitches in relief for the Astros. Biagini is also known for pitching comedy relief to his teammates, fans, and to the media. In Episode 23, Todd Kalas and Steve Sparks share some laughs as they discuss what Biagini has been doing during the pandemic. From street yoga to Jimmy Fallon to Bob Ross to baseball, Biagini takes us down a convoluted-conversation path that is sure to entertain. Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Broadcasters Geoff Blum and Steve Sparks talk about the recent headlines surrounding the 2020 season. In Episode 22, they also tell us why the 22nd Manager in Astros History is the perfect person for the job. Making his 2nd appearance on Astro Pod since MLB’s March 12th announcement to halt play, Baker says he’s checking in with his players often. “Just to check on them and to see how their state of mind is and on their mental outlook and spirit, because that’s what you worry about. You don’t want their pilot light to go out and their spirit.” Baker reflects on his 19 year playing career and Managing x4 Big League clubs over 22 seasons. He talks about playing with legendary teammate Hank Aaron, facing J.R. Richard in the Astrodome and facing Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. How will Baker’s managerial style adjust during a possible short season? Find out now on Astro Pod. Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

He's a Texas Longhorn with a trophy room as big as the Lone Star State. In a remarkable career spanning 24 seasons, Roger Clemens is the true definition of a power pitcher. Clemens is an 11-time Major League All-Star who won seven Cy Young Awards, lead the Majors in wins four times and lead the American League in strikeouts five times. The Rocket is a two-time World Series champion and has a treasure trove of big league stories to discuss with Geoff Blum and Steve Sparks in Episode 21 of Astro Pod. From his early days at UT to his two 20-strikeout games, Clemens speaks candidly about his first day in The Show and what it's like grocery shopping with his COVID mask on. Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Episode 20: Roy Oswalt won 143 games for the Houston Astros between 2001-2010. He won back-to-back 20 games and helped his team make the postseason in 2004 and 2005. A 3-time All Star, Oswalt was selected series MVP of the 2005 NLCS when the Astros clinched the pennant that same year.  Steve Sparks and Todd Kalas talk to Oswalt about his life in Mississippi, family, learning to pitch, winning the gold medal in the 2000 Olympics and about his days with the Astros. Oswalt was selected to the Houston Astros Hall of Fame Class of 2020 in January.  Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Episode 19: RHP Austin Pruitt is a local product and finds himself in the mix for the Astros 2020 starting rotation. The Houston local hails from The Woodlands, was a member of the 2011 National JUCO World Series championship team, and the University of Houston Cougars pitching staff in wins (10), ERA (2.85), starts (15), IP (113.2) and K’s (92). In January 2020 Pruitt was acquired by the Astros and broadcasters Todd Kalas and Julia Morales introduce the newest member of the Stros in Episode 19. Pitch your thoughts as we field your questions #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Talk about your bullpen guys. Then let’s talk about a 16 year career in the Big Leagues, amassing 422 saves (6th most in MLB history), making x7 All Star appearances, and striking-out an average of 11.9 hitters per 9 IP. Oh, and let’s talk about a righthanded pitcher who taught himself to pitch lefthanded after breaking his arm. In Episode 18 we do just that, we talk to Billy Wagner who pitched for the Astros from 1995-2003. Selected in the 1st round of the ’93 MLB draft, Wagner has been a Houston legend ever since. Steve Sparks and Todd Kalas talk to Wagner about his career, the Hall of Fame, family, and what he loves most about being a Varsity Highschool Coach. Wanger was selected to the Houston Astros Hall of Fame class of 2020 in January. Pitch your thoughts and send questions to radio@astros.com or #AstrosRadio @AstrosRadioMLB

Episode 17: Enos Cabell played mostly 3B/IF in the Major Leagues for 15 seasons and with the Houston Astros from 1975-’80 and ’84-’85. In 2004 Cabell was named special assistant to the general manager and now enters his 16th season under GM James Click. Cabell joins Todd Kalas and Steve Sparks for an entertaining conversation about playing for manager Earl Weaver, the Astros' playoffs in 1980 and ‘81, playing against now manager Dusty Baker, and the 2020 season. Share your thoughts and send questions to radio@astros.com or #AstrosRadio

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.” Share your thoughts and send questions to radio@astros.com or #AstrosRadio

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."

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.

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.

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

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. Share your thoughts and send questions to radio@astros.com or #AstrosRadio