Author Topic: Ash off the Air (Read 16589 times)

Lefty · « **on:** December 20, 2005, 07:56:19 pm »

Brett Dolan & Dave Raymond hired.

"Hamilton will serve as the play-by-play analyst for Astros radio broadcasts during home games, with Dolan and Raymond sharing color analyst duties. For road games, Dolan and Raymond will share play-by-play duties along with pre- and post-game responsibilities."

The Link

Ashby seems like a good guy, hope he lands on his feet.

Chad Qualls Himself · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2005, 08:03:25 pm »

Ive never heard the new two guys, but Alan was pretty good in the booth, in my opinion.

stubbyc · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2005, 08:54:47 pm »

Pretty surprising. I liked Ashby for the most part, but he was impossible to listen to during Oswalt's starts. Every time Oswalt threw a fastball that wasn't at the knees on the corner Ashby would start complaining.

Fredia · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2005, 09:52:56 pm »

i shall miss the ash. i didnt see that one comming.

Bench · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2005, 10:00:05 pm »

Likewise, that's pretty surprising. Ash might have not been the most colorful person to confront a microphone, but you always knew in detail what was happening, and had happened, and it always was imparted with a great deal of insight. I'll miss him.

Who are Dolan and the other guy?

dholi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2005, 10:21:47 pm »

ash:
?I was informed the ball club was not of the opinion that I should be their lead broadcaster and that they had determined they wanted to go in an entirely new direction and that, therefore, I was being let go,? Ashby said. ?I was completely caught off guard and am devastated by the decision.?

The Link

this is bizarre

Texifornia · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:04:44 pm »

Ash didn't have a great "radio voice", but had improved the last couple of years. His timing and cadence were much better last year and he knew what the hell he was talking about.

Plus, he's a real Astro. I'll miss him.

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:28:17 pm »

He also used the word destroyed.

He says they told him it was because he tried for the pbp job and didn't get it and they thought it might be a bad situation for him to work with the person who did.

Frobie · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:35:37 pm »

I have to say I'm a little disappointed by this. Maybe in 6 months I'll be talking about how great Dolan and Raymond are, but I'm sad to see Ash go, especially in such an unceremonious way.

I wonder what sort of comments Milo is going to "sneak" into the broadcasts about this. He was really pushing for Ashby to get the gig... Should be interesting. "Well, that's an interesting comment, Dave. Not nearly as interesting as my former broadcast partner Alan Ashby would have made, though. My oh my, he was one of the best in the business."

UpTooLate · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:04:36 am »

On the bright side the Astros finally made an off season aquistion. Damn important to shore up the radio broadcast booth prior to pitchers/catchers reporting to spring training.

Seriously though... I am bummed...no shocked to see Ash let go. He was truly an Astro and his love for the team came through in his announcing without being a total Homer(same can be said of J.D.). My first thought was that Milo was behind it, but the previous poster thinks the exact opposite, so who knows...

jwhudson · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:17:48 am »

Just when you thought it was safe....I am very disappointed by this decision. Let's replace someone we know with a couple of rookies we've never heard of from AAA. This really stinks!

CJM · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:22:32 am »

It will be hard to make it through a season without "Ask Ash", or "What's in Ash's Pocket". I wonder what Jimmy D. thinks about this.

MRaup · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:25:08 am »

Poor Mike Capps.

Tralfaz · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:30:19 am »

These guy's better be fucking great.

Adit to add: Shocking

Frobie · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:46:05 am »

Well, I don't know shit about anything, so my rule-of-thumb would be to always bet against me.

Quote:

My first thought was that Milo was behind it, but the previous poster thinks the exact opposite, so who knows...

Funny you posted that. Don't know what went on behind the scenes, but I listened to at least a couple of innings on the radio for probably 75% of the games last year because my computer is in a room with no TV and I'm too fucking stupid to figure out how to even start hooking up a wireless network. Anyhoo, especially toward the end Milo would just gush about how great Ashby was. Maybe when they went to the breaks they'd bicker like Nick and Jessica, I have no idea. But I certainly had the impression that Milo wanted Ashby to be around in 2006, and to do the PBP for the road games most likely.

And since nobody has mentioned it yet, how much are we paying these new broadcasters? And shouldn't we use that money to go out and get a catcher and shortshop who can hit?!

Tralfaz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:49:36 am »

Somebody must have really enjoyed those Triple A Iowa Cubs broadcasts. Brett Dolan '98-99, Dave Raymond 2000-'04. At this point "Dolan and Raymond" sounds like a bad morning FM radio show.

the KEG · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2005, 03:42:56 am »

Yeah this seems like a pretty shitty way for them to treat a long-time franchise guy like Ash was.

Didn't they do something similarly shitty to him in '89 when they released him? (he was having a bad season at that point though, if I remember right)

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2005, 08:33:49 am »

Could anybody really see it being Ashby? I couldn't. He's a great guy with a fantastic history with the club but as the person to eventually take over for Milo, he just didn't have the chops. I too thought Mike Capps would've been a great choice. Oh well, I hope these guys are good.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2005, 08:38:32 am »

This is the first move the club has made in a long time that really pisses me off. Ash is a good man, a loyal man, he did nothing wrong. He has improved each year. His analysis is fantastic and his pbp has gone from shitty in '98 to pretty good in '05. He did nothing to deserve this. I already hate the new guys on principal. They better be fucking great, they better be the 2nd coming of Vin and Mel.

David in Jackson · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:24:29 am »

I travel to Tucson every year for a week and catch 3-4 Sidewinders games. I have heard Dolan on the radio there more than a few times and noticed how much I liked him. I think he will do a good job.

I'm sorry to see Ash go, but I'm also happy that a guy who has worked his way up without a big league career or a father (and/or grandfather) broadcaster is getting a big league job.

Limey · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:47:27 am »

Milo is retiring so Ash is off the air and Milo "Dead Air" Hamilton is still broadcasting? WTF?

EmirOfSchmoe · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:49:35 am »

I don't get it either but I wish Ash all the luck. I kinda felt this way when the Astros fired Gene Elston.

NeilT · « **Reply #25 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:51:11 am »

I always trusted what Ashby said, and liked his intensity about what he was seeing. That sucks.

Limey · « **Reply #27 on:** December 21, 2005, 11:09:13 am »

Shut the fuck up, Donny!

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #33 on:** December 21, 2005, 11:44:17 am »

Thanks Hawk. I couldn't bring myself to say it but I'm looking forward to the new voices.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #37 on:** December 21, 2005, 11:52:33 am »

I agree. I couldn't stand Ashby. I just hope these new guys do not follow the new "Fox Sports" hype-the-crap-out-of-it style. I wish they could have assigned Jimmy D or Larry Dierker to full time radio responsibilities and the other to full time TV with Bill Brown, instead of platooning them both on TV.

Oh, and the new guys better show at least some moderate homerism. I don't wanna hear them showing any love to the Co-ards or the sCrUBS.

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #40 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:48:08 pm »

Sorry to say, in broadcasting this happens all the time. Contracts aren't renewed. An opportunity came up to go in a new direction and the team is taking it. I'm thinking that the team may have knew Ash wasn't the one for a while and Milo had Ashby's back. Now that he's semi-retired, they decided to try something new.

I don't know what they could have done to make it easier for Ash except to keep him on, which it sounds like they didn't want to do.

cc · « **Reply #42 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:59:56 pm »

Not that they owed him a courtesy interview/audition. But why say he's a candidate when they know they're going in a different direction?

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #45 on:** December 21, 2005, 01:17:18 pm »

Would telling him before the auditions have really been any different?

Foghorn · « **Reply #51 on:** December 21, 2005, 04:06:38 pm »

Fuck Ashby. He was shitty. I'll reserve my indignation for when they shitcan somebody worth a shit.

Still, its seems odd that a team with 2 kick ass color guys (Dierker and JD), can't simply have one do TV and the other radio.

Is Milo dead yet? can't wait for those first few spring training games where he'll be working with the rookies for the first time. Should be OUT-FUCKING-STANDING.

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #59 on:** December 21, 2005, 05:46:19 pm »

"Boy, that's really poor," Dierker said, trying to suppress his laughter.

*snicker*...i got him to say woodie on tv...*snicker*

astrox · « **Reply #60 on:** December 22, 2005, 02:06:51 pm »

Link

"He bailed Milo out.
How disappointing to hear the Astros have replaced Alan Ashby, a connection to the 1986 playoff team, in the broadcast booth.

For at least the last two seasons, Ashby has had to cover for the mistakes made by an aging Milo Hamilton. Milo simply can't follow the ball anymore. Countless times Ashby would gently guide the fan until Milo could recover. And Ashby did this without stepping on Hamilton's toes. If any move was appropriate, it would have been to promote Ashby while retiring Milo.

DARRELL DESCHENSKY, Spring"
--------------------------------
"Not all opposed.
Although I respect what he did on the field for them, I was relieved to hear that the Astros finally released Alan Ashby. For years now, I have turned down my radio during his play-by-play innings, and I was dreading the possibility of a permanent takeover.

His monotone announcing is overly precise, and his delivery sounds the same during an Astros' home run, foul ball or groundout. When Ashby's in color-commentator mode, he spends most of his time contradicting Milo's statements rather than adding new and interesting details. The result is a choppy broadcast that's stressful to listen to (which is a shame, because Milo is amazing).

I know this was a tough decision for the Astros, but they made the right one.

NATHAN WELLBORNE, Houston"

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #61 on:** June 03, 2016, 07:44:42 am »

In the interest of fairness - found this great thread where it was generally acknowledged Ashby was completely terrible back when they booted him the first time.

jbm · « **Reply #62 on:** June 03, 2016, 07:51:52 am »

Damn, I thought I was in heaven for a moment.

JimR · « **Reply #63 on:** June 03, 2016, 09:11:18 am »

Quote from: jbm on June 03, 2016, 07:51:52 am

Damn, I thought I was in heaven for a moment.

same reaction

Knoxbanedoodle · « **Reply #64 on:** June 03, 2016, 09:36:54 am »

Ditto. There oughta be a law.

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #65 on:** June 03, 2016, 09:39:52 am »

I sincerely apologize, I didn't even notice the title.

Fredia · « **Reply #66 on:** June 03, 2016, 09:51:06 am »

welcome to the dark side

hostros7 · « **Reply #67 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:06:19 am »

My heart leapt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

doyce7 · « **Reply #68 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:11:52 am »

I got really excited. Dammit

Lefty · « **Reply #69 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:26:02 am »

Quote from: doyce7 on June 03, 2016, 10:11:52 am

I got really excited. Dammit

Same here. And I just realized that I started this thread.

homer · « **Reply #70 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:39:04 am »

While my heart leapt as well, our luck would be Ash replaced with Jake Lewin.

juliogotay · « **Reply #71 on:** June 03, 2016, 11:20:10 am »

Quote from: homer on June 03, 2016, 10:39:04 am

While my heart leapt as well, our luck would be Ash replaced with Jake Lewin.

That would be horrific....sloppy Ranger seconds.

Waldo · « **Reply #72 on:** June 03, 2016, 11:56:01 am »

Quote from: homer on June 03, 2016, 10:39:04 am

While my heart leapt as well, our luck would be Ash replaced with Jake Lewin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

Reuben · « **Reply #73 on:** June 03, 2016, 11:57:09 am »

Quote from: JimR on June 03, 2016, 09:11:18 am

same reaction

Same here. What a letdown.

moriartp · « **Reply #74 on:** June 03, 2016, 12:19:40 pm »

This is killing us one by one, it seems. Lock thread/shut it down/nuke from orbit.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #75 on:** June 03, 2016, 01:58:55 pm »

Quote from: Lefty on June 03, 2016, 10:26:02 am

Same here. And I just realized that I started this thread.

Strike 1.

juliogotay · « **Reply #76 on:** June 03, 2016, 03:07:47 pm »

I'm surprised in reading the old posts that he was relatively well thought of back then.

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #77 on:** June 03, 2016, 03:09:56 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 03, 2016, 03:07:47 pm

I'm surprised in reading the old posts that he was relatively well thought of back then.

That was why I originally revived the other two (I was surprised as well). Then I found this one where, despite some positive comments, the general view was that he sucked. Obviously not nearly as vehement as today (wonder if he's gotten more annoying or if it's more annoying on TV or both).

chuck · « **Reply #78 on:** June 03, 2016, 03:17:48 pm »

I had long since concluded that it's both.

juliogotay · « **Reply #79 on:** June 03, 2016, 03:32:41 pm »

Quote from: BizidyDizidy on June 03, 2016, 03:09:56 pm

That was why I originally revived the other two (I was surprised as well). Then I found this one where, despite some positive comments, the general view was that he sucked. Obviously not nearly as vehement as today (wonder if he's gotten more annoying or if it's more annoying on TV or both).

I think a lot of color guys would have been disappointments following Deshaies who was a rare talent. I really would like to kick Crane in the nuts for letting him get away.

Reuben · « **Reply #80 on:** June 03, 2016, 08:12:12 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 03, 2016, 03:32:41 pm

I think a lot of color guys would have been disappointments following Deshaies who was a rare talent. I really would like to kick Crane in the nuts for letting him get away.

For some reason I have a memory of that being perceived as a Postolos (remember him?) decision/failure more so than Crane.

juliogotay · « **Reply #81 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:49:41 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on June 03, 2016, 08:12:12 pm

For some reason I have a memory of that being perceived as a Postolos (remember him?) decision/failure more so than Crane.

I think that is correct. I had forgotten about him.

Waldo · « **Reply #82 on:** June 03, 2016, 10:59:30 pm »

Wasn't it also about having lessened exposure on CSN Houston vs. much greater exposure on WGN? I'll partially blame Drayton for that too.

AstroFrog · « **Reply #83 on:** June 06, 2016, 08:45:30 am »

Can somebody right a short explainer about the issues with Ashby? I am out of market and therefore don't get to listen much. I did like him a lot the first time around, and apparently most posters did too at that time. Now, not so much. What's happened?

While we are at it, what's the consensus on the radio team of Robert Ford and Steve Sparks? They seem like pros, though it feels odd to have a a booth without any previous connection to the club.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #84 on:** June 06, 2016, 09:03:31 am »

Quote from: AstroFrog on June 06, 2016, 08:45:30 am

Can somebody right a short explainer about the issues with Ashby? I am out of market and therefore don't get to listen much. I did like him a lot the first time around, and apparently most posters did too at that time. Now, not so much. What's happened?

While we are at it, what's the consensus on the radio team of Robert Ford and Steve Sparks? They seem like pros, though it feels odd to have a a booth without any previous connection to the club.

I love them. Ford is the consummate play-by-play guy, and Sparks provides lots of good insight from a player's perspective.

juliogotay · « **Reply #85 on:** June 06, 2016, 09:12:44 am »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on June 06, 2016, 09:03:31 am

I love them. Ford is the consummate play-by-play guy, and Sparks provides lots of good insight from a player's perspective.

I agree regarding the radio team. I just don't hear them much because I prefer the televised version when I can.
To me, the Ashby situation is a lot because of his lack of adding anything in the way of insight or expertise to the game. He asks a lot of questions. I would expect him to tell me what he thinks rather than propose questions. It comes across as if he really doesn't have a relationship with these players or show up early to visit with them or the coaches for background. He also talks way too much for my pleasure.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #86 on:** June 06, 2016, 09:21:50 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 06, 2016, 09:12:44 am

I agree regarding the radio team. I just don't hear them much because I prefer the televised version when I can.
To me, the Ashby situation is a lot because of his lack of adding anything in the way of insight or expertise to the game. He asks a lot of questions. I would expect him to tell me what he thinks rather than propose questions. It comes across as if he really doesn't have a relationship with these players or show up early to visit with them or the coaches for background. He also talks way too much for my pleasure.

He seems to enjoy his own voice. Bottom line, he acts like a talk show host trying to stir up trouble and generate calls rather than as a color commentator.

mrpink · « **Reply #87 on:** June 06, 2016, 09:32:35 am »

The radio team kills it. I'm not sure how Ford got the interview, but he's terrific at PBP and I think entertaining enough to do color if needed despite not being a former player.

Sparks does have a Houston connection, but I had to look it up. He went to Sam Houston and was signed to a minor league contract by the Astros before he retired. I also came across this interesting tidbit from Wikipedia...

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19940316&id=gJZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EhMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6208,4367290

Reuben · « **Reply #88 on:** June 06, 2016, 11:44:49 am »

To really explain Ashby's shittyness to someone who hasn't heard him much would take way too long. The main thing for me is he sounds stupid and stiff. Zero sense of humor, uses too many words to say simple things, and somehow manages to impart almost none of the insight and knowledge that you would expect a guy who caught in the majors for so long to have. It's like he spends so much energy trying to talk in his TV Voice that he can't actually think of normal, interesting things to say about a baseball game.

Oh, and he bitches a lot about shit that bothers him, and just kinda has this vague negativity about him.

In other words, it's hard to imagine a worse replacement for Jim Deshaies.

MRaup · « **Reply #89 on:** June 06, 2016, 12:37:58 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on June 06, 2016, 11:44:49 am

To really explain Ashby's shittyness to someone who hasn't heard him much would take way too long. The main thing for me is he sounds stupid and stiff. Zero sense of humor, uses too many words to say simple things, and somehow manages to impart almost none of the insight and knowledge that you would expect a guy who caught in the majors for so long to have. It's like he spends so much energy trying to talk in his TV Voice that he can't actually think of normal, interesting things to say about a baseball game.

Oh, and he bitches a lot about shit that bothers him, and just kinda has this vague negativity about him.

In other words, it's hard to imagine a worse replacement for Jim Deshaies.

On top of all that, he constantly harps about the strike zone, is slavishly attached to the Pitch Tracker, and when he's wrong about a pitch he thought looked good but is shown to be a ball, he never backs down but just keeps bitching and makes excuses.

Also, whenever he gets teased or the rest of the team is joking, he seems to either take things way over the top or get kind of butthurt and then spend the rest of the game looking for something to snipe back with.

JimR · « **Reply #90 on:** June 06, 2016, 12:54:42 pm »

constantly negative about the team and players. acts like the visiting broadcaster at times.

juliogotay · « **Reply #91 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:15:47 pm »

Since we're piling on.....I get tired of all the Julia-attention and "look at me" stuff that goes on. Hey, I know you are living the life....just tell me something about the game that I don't know. Frankly I hope someone from the Astros reads this stuff.

homer · « **Reply #92 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:28:48 pm »

Ash seems to revel in playing the contrarian. Someone already mentioned that he will never correct himself if replay shows him wrong, but it seems to me that he dives in to advocate a ridiculous position as some sort of duty. And i'm not talking about some controversial issue like the DH or batting the pitcher 8th- he'll jump to a ridiculous conclusion like a runner should be safe when it's quite clear from my couch that he's out by 3 feet.

It could be that he honestly doesn't know the 'right' answer because he is distracted by the 6 electronic devices cluttering his desk he proudly displayed between innings a few weeks ago. It happens with such frequency, however, that I think he assumes it makes him sound wiser or more experienced if he doesn't 'jump to a conclusion'- even when there really isn't two sides to an issue or a reason to pontificate until after the replay is examined.

All of this is exceptionally irritating when he is hedging against the Astros on a call.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #93 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:31:32 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 06, 2016, 01:15:47 pm

Since we're piling on.....I get tired of all the Julia-attention and "look at me" stuff that goes on. Hey, I know you are living the life....just tell me something about the game that I don't know. Frankly I hope someone from the Astros reads this stuff.

I can almost guarantee you that they do read what we write. We dogged DoRay so badly that they axed them. We're their most loyal and honest fans.

homer · « **Reply #94 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:35:37 pm »

I'll also add that I had the pleasure of listening to the radio team a few times over the last couple of weeks and I actually learned more about the team in those few minutes then I have all year from Ash. It likely helps that I actually had the volume on, but they were drawing on conversations and interviews that they had recently done with one team member or another.

There is another thread where their information about McCullers changing his mechanics is being relayed- and perhaps I've missed it due to the Worrell button being engaged, but i haven't heard a word about this on the telecast.

JimR · « **Reply #95 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:41:16 pm »

keep this going.

I think he tries to be Tim McCarver Lite. he sometimes takes ridiculous positions as though he is on the cutting edge and no one else has thought of his great insight.

AstroFrog · « **Reply #96 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:43:08 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on June 06, 2016, 11:44:49 am

To really explain Ashby's shittyness to someone who hasn't heard him much would take way too long. The main thing for me is he sounds stupid and stiff. Zero sense of humor, uses too many words to say simple things, and somehow manages to impart almost none of the insight and knowledge that you would expect a guy who caught in the majors for so long to have.

Is this new, as in, not how he was pre-2005 when many on here were upset he was let go?

homer · « **Reply #97 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:43:53 pm »

Quote from: JimR on June 06, 2016, 01:41:16 pm

I think he tries to be Tim McCarver Lite.

Intriguing. My father and I made this exact comment a week ago Sunday.

JimR · « **Reply #98 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:49:11 pm »

Quote from: homer on June 06, 2016, 01:43:53 pm

Intriguing. My father and I made this exact comment a week ago Sunday.

great minds

chuck · « **Reply #99 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:55:46 pm »

Quote from: AstroFrog on June 06, 2016, 01:43:08 pm

Is this new, as in, not how he was pre-2005 when many on here were upset he was let go?

I don't remember anyone being upset, but I don't remember any wild celebration, either.

I never liked him back then but he was not the same relentlessly negative dick that he's become. I wonder if he still holds a grudge against the team for not getting the gig when they hired DoRay.

JimR · « **Reply #100 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:58:46 pm »

Quote from: chuck on June 06, 2016, 01:55:46 pm

I don't remember anyone being upset, but I don't remember any wild celebration, either.

I never liked him back then but he was not the same relentlessly negative dick that he's become. I wonder if he still holds a grudge against the team for not getting the gig when they hired DoRay.

no doubt. I have it from an impeccable source he expected to be hired without an interview and was a total jerk during his interview. he shot both feet completely off.

juliogotay · « **Reply #101 on:** June 06, 2016, 02:45:54 pm »

Quote from: homer on June 06, 2016, 01:35:37 pm

I'll also add that I had the pleasure of listening to the radio team a few times over the last couple of weeks and I actually learned more about the team in those few minutes then I have all year from Ash. It likely helps that I actually had the volume on, but they were drawing on conversations and interviews that they had recently done with one team member or another.

There is another thread where their information about McCullers changing his mechanics is being relayed- and perhaps I've missed it due to the Worrell button being engaged, but i haven't heard a word about this on the telecast.

I totally agree that you will learn more about the team listening to the radio guys. Without knowing this as a fact I will bet that Sparks spends more time on the field before the game talking to the players and coaches. I can't believe that a former catcher adds so little to a broadcast. These are the guys that end up managing. BTW, I have heard about McCullers changing his mechanics on the tv-cast. From Brown.

das · « **Reply #102 on:** June 06, 2016, 04:11:33 pm »

I do not need to hear him talking about what he is eating there at the ballpark 14 times in an hour. Plus, every time he says "Blummer", I cringe.

chuck · « **Reply #103 on:** June 06, 2016, 04:17:08 pm »

Quote from: JimR on June 06, 2016, 01:58:46 pm

no doubt. I have it from an impeccable source he expected to be hired without an interview and was a total jerk during his interview. he shot both feet completely off.

You've mentioned this before and I have no doubt that it is completely true. So I wonder why the hell they would hire him again after the first debacle.

juliogotay · « **Reply #104 on:** June 06, 2016, 04:19:55 pm »

Quote from: chuck on June 06, 2016, 04:17:08 pm

You've mentioned this before and I have no doubt that it is completely true. So I wonder why the hell they would hire him again after the first debacle.

Different decision-makers?

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #105 on:** June 06, 2016, 05:12:16 pm »

Quote from: AstroFrog on June 06, 2016, 01:43:08 pm

Is this new, as in, not how he was pre-2005 when many on here were upset he was let go?

See for yourself - this is literally the thread about it.

Bench · « **Reply #106 on:** June 06, 2016, 05:21:56 pm »

Quote from: BizidyDizidy on June 06, 2016, 05:12:16 pm

See for yourself - this is literally the thread about it.

And every time I see the topic I get my hopes up again.

Radio-Ashby was appreciated because he did a very good job of translating Milo. He knew Milo's cadence well and had a great touch of peppering in actual facts and descriptions around the WHHOOOOOOAAAAASSSSS!!! and Blue STARS!! The prototypical example is the end of the 18 inning NLDS Game 4 when Ashby waited for Milo to stop moaning and peppered in, with mild enthusiasm, "Chris Burke!" Ashby provided just the right counter-balance to Milo's The Voice to let you know what was actually happening.

Current TV Ashby is an insufferable bore who is far too pleased with his intriguing observations and is irrationally negative about every thing that he "observes", whether the thing actually happened or not.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #107 on:** June 06, 2016, 07:45:16 pm »

He was never on TV before. He was Milo's color guy and did PBP for the 4th and 5th innings. He didn't have the same opportunity to show his ass back then as he does now.

JimR · « **Reply #108 on:** June 07, 2016, 08:31:11 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 06, 2016, 04:19:55 pm

Different decision-makers?

this

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #109 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:03:19 am »

Ford and Sparks are great, I'd love for them to TV & Radio.

Ashby. He isn't entertaining or funny and if he is knowledgeable (I assume he is) he is horrible at communicating it to the listeners. I cant ever remember listening to Ashby and coming away with a chuckle (unless laughing at him) or feeling like I learned something. My usual reaction after listening to Ashby is indifference mixed with being annoyed.

I thought Mike Stanton did great as a fill in for Ashby last week, I'd be perfectly happy with Mike as Ashbys replacement.

Hopefully the Astros will reach back out to Deshaies, I have heard he'd likely be open to returning now.

jbm · « **Reply #110 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:15:45 am »

Really? Open to returning? They should break the bank to get him back.

juliogotay · « **Reply #111 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:21:30 am »

Quote from: Navin R Johnson on June 07, 2016, 09:03:19 am

Ford and Sparks are great, I'd love for them to TV & Radio.

Ashby. He isn't entertaining or funny and if he is knowledgeable (I assume he is) he is horrible at communicating it to the listeners. I cant ever remember listening to Ashby and coming away with a chuckle (unless laughing at him) or feeling like I learned something. My usual reaction after listening to Ashby is indifference mixed with being annoyed.

I thought Mike Stanton did great as a fill in for Ashby last week, I'd be perfectly happy with Mike as Ashbys replacement.

Hopefully the Astros will reach back out to Deshaies, I have heard he'd likely be open to returning now.

Why would he be open to returning now? Has some element changed or gone away that caused him to look elsewhere? Postolos?
I would think he's having a blast on the northside of Chicago with what is going on there.

jbm · « **Reply #112 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:23:52 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 07, 2016, 09:21:30 am

Why would he be open to returning now? Has some element changed or gone away that caused him to look elsewhere? Postolos?
I would think he's having a blast on the northside of Chicago with what is going on there.

I recall that part of his reasoning was that his daughter was going to school there. Maybe she is done or almost done. Maybe the Cubs and their fans suck.

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #113 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:30:46 am »

Cubs network isn't what it used to be and it is cold.

Dark Star · « **Reply #114 on:** June 07, 2016, 11:50:36 am »

Quote from: jbm on June 07, 2016, 09:23:52 am

Etc., etc. ... Maybe the Cubs and their fans suck.

Yes, maybe.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #115 on:** June 07, 2016, 02:00:13 pm »

Quote from: jbm on June 07, 2016, 09:23:52 am

I recall that part of his reasoning was that his daughter was going to school there. Maybe she is done or almost done.

I think he moved his entire family to Chicago but FWIW Libby Deshaies did graduate from law school and is now clerking for the Illinois Supreme Court.

According to this, JD's contract (unless there was an extension signed since then) expires after this season.

doyce7 · « **Reply #116 on:** June 07, 2016, 06:51:23 pm »

Where do I sign the petition? I would love to have JD back

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Reuben · « **Reply #117 on:** June 07, 2016, 08:57:59 pm »

Quote from: doyce7 on June 07, 2016, 06:51:23 pm

Where do I sign the petition? I would love to have JD back

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

So say we all.

Fredia · « **Reply #118 on:** June 08, 2016, 10:12:58 am »

i was flipping thourgh the channels and heard his voice so recgonizible

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #119 on:** June 08, 2016, 03:53:10 pm »

I don't get the TV broadcasts in San Antonio unless they're playing the Rangers, so I've gotten used to radio only. Ford and Sparks are my constant companions now, night after night...

That's not weird, is it?

WVastro · « **Reply #120 on:** June 08, 2016, 04:29:10 pm »

Is the alternate radio audio with video available on the AppleTV MLB app? I couldn't seem to find it....

Fredia · « **Reply #121 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:06:21 pm »

with all the things that have been said on this site and you ask if that is weird?

das · « **Reply #122 on:** June 09, 2016, 07:26:21 am »

Quote from: WVastro on June 08, 2016, 04:29:10 pm

Is the alternate radio audio with video available on the AppleTV MLB app? I couldn't seem to find it....

I'll sometimes spin up the radio feed on my phone while watching the game (on mute) on my tablet. It works ok like 50% of the time but the other 50% not so much as the audio/video can get out of sync.

David in Jackson · « **Reply #123 on:** June 09, 2016, 08:49:03 am »

Listened to Robert Ford and Steve Sparks (radio feed) while streaming/watching the game on MLB package last night - works great in perfect sync.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #124 on:** June 09, 2016, 11:11:58 am »

Quote from: Fredia on June 08, 2016, 08:06:21 pm

with all the things that have been said on this site and you ask if that is weird?

Good point. I also forgot to mention, that Ford/Sparks are consummate pros and I really enjoy listening to them. Ford gets slightly too negative every once in awhile, but I'd give 'em an A overall. Very happy with that team.

Author Topic: Ash off the Air (Read 16589 times)

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