Shock Waves. All Trembly Up In Here.

[Ron Brand]

Astros Announcer Bill Brown celebrates 65th birthday, contemplates 2013 uncertainties

Comcast officials – and team officials, for that matter — have had limited conversation or contact, if that, with the current Astros TV crew of Brown, Jim Deshaies, Greg Lucas, Bart Enis and Patti Smith as the season has progressed toward its end, and Brown said he is at least contemplating the possibility that his role may change next season.

“I need some time to think after the season,” he said. “It’s hard to say right now. People are telling me ‘you would not be happy’ (without calling games), and I get that. I think there’s a lot of truth to that."

[the KEG]

And Eschenfelder just announced this was his final game with the Astros/Rockets while signing off at the end of today's telecast.  Change certainly seems to be in the air.

[Fredia]

how much change can we as fans take

[the KEG]

And Eschenfelder just announced this was his final game with the Astros/Rockets while signing off at the end of today's telecast.  Change certainly seems to be in the air.

Nm.  After reading his Twitter feed, he was saying goodbye to those at Fox.  He will be moving along to Comcast next season and not completing the final 12 games of the season.

[juliogotay]

Nm.  After reading his Twitter feed, he was saying goodbye to those at Fox.  He will be moving along to Comcast next season and not completing the final 12 games of the season.

Hard to believe he's been there 17 years.

[chuck]

The key part of the piece is "Comcast officials – and team officials, for that matter — have had limited conversation or contact, if that, with the current Astros TV crew of Brown, Jim Deshaies, Greg Lucas..."

The team is going to jettison Brownie and JD. Hilarious. They're going to shift to something modern and social networky. The team is going to be worse in the booth than they'll be on the field.

[BizidyDizidy]

The key part of the piece is "Comcast officials – and team officials, for that matter — have had limited conversation or contact, if that, with the current Astros TV crew of Brown, Jim Deshaies, Greg Lucas..."

The team is going to jettison Brownie and JD. Hilarious. They're going to shift to something modern and social networky. The team is going to be worse in the booth than they'll be on the field.

I'm not sure that would be the case even if they hired Fredia and towlie to do it.

[chuck]

I'm not sure that would be the case even if they hired Fredia and towlie to do it.

I think next year I'll become a fan of the team with the best broadcaster/s. I guess that means I'll be going with the Dodgers.

[juliogotay]

The key part of the piece is "Comcast officials – and team officials, for that matter — have had limited conversation or contact, if that, with the current Astros TV crew of Brown, Jim Deshaies, Greg Lucas..."

The team is going to jettison Brownie and JD. Hilarious. They're going to shift to something modern and social networky. The team is going to be worse in the booth than they'll be on the field.

I can't believe they are that tone-deaf.

[Ron Brand]

To be fair, we don't know if they'd normally hear from Comcast / the Astros yet anyway, but that doesn't make me any less concerned.

[roadrunner]

Like pretty much everything else they've done, I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to Crane/Postolos on this one.  I still think there's a 90% chance Brownie and JD are calling games next season. 

God I hope so.

[Mr. Happy]

If they jettison Brownie and JD but retain DoRay, then there's just no justice.

[jbm]

Sounds like Chuck's suspisions have some merit.  Obviously, they can legally talk to Eschenfelder, and he was a FSH employee.  Therefore, they could presumably also talk to JD and Brownie and the rest, but haven't as far as we know.  Also, they must have some say in things (maybe with FSH's tacit agreement) as Eschenfelder has been getting his feet wet in the booth.  What motivation would FSH have to do that?

Who knows what will eventually happen with this crew.  My bet is that whatever it is, it will probably be less classy than it should be. 

[BizidyDizidy]

Sounds like Chuck's suspisions have some merit.  Obviously, they can legally talk to Eschenfelder, and he was a FSH employee.  Therefore, they could presumably also talk to JD and Brownie and the rest, but haven't as far as we know.  Also, they must have some say in things (maybe with FSH's tacit agreement) as Eschenfelder has been getting his feet wet in the booth.  What motivation would FSH have to do that?

Who knows what will eventually happen with this crew.  My bet is that whatever it is, it will probably be less classy than it should be. 

Well you can understand why they would want to make Eschenfelder their top priority.

[OregonStrosFan]

The key part of the piece is "Comcast officials – and team officials, for that matter — have had limited conversation or contact, if that, with the current Astros TV crew of Brown, Jim Deshaies, Greg Lucas..."

The team is going to jettison Brownie and JD. Hilarious. They're going to shift to something modern and social networky. The team is going to be worse in the booth than they'll be on the field.

Sounds like Chuck's suspisions have some merit.

Sometimes they do, but not this one I suspect.  See: Tortious interference, fear of.

If I was a new RSN, I'd certainly be as careful as I could to try to avoid giving the ousted network any ammunition to come after me with.  Not sure why this didn't happen with Esch (other than there was probably something about his contract that allowed them to be able to do so, it had expired, etc.), but can certainly understand why contact or communication would be limited with Deshaies, Brownie, or Lucas - to do otherwise would be idiotic.

JD and Brownie WILL be in the booth next year if they want to be (educated speculation).  My concern is not whether Crane Co. will jettison either, but rather if Brownie wants to continue on or is ready to call it a career and retire.

I appreciate the thread and the concern - it'd be (another) knife in the heart not to have JD and Brownie back, but IMO there is a lot of Chicken Little "the sky is falling" going on here in this thread...

[Ron Brand]

My concern is not whether Crane Co. will jettison either, but rather if Brownie wants to continue on or is ready to call it a career and retire.

I appreciate the thread and the concern - it'd be (another) knife in the heart not to have JD and Brownie back, but IMO there is a lot of Chicken Little "the sky is falling" going on here in this thread...

This is my concern too. I don't think that the lack of communication, or at least the public reports of any communication, is necessarily a problem. This article is a not-so-veiled affirmation of what we've wondered about for a bit, whether or not Brownie will be coming back. It's always possible that the new network and the team would make changes, and lord knows they've pulled a few triggers, but the booth crew seems to be universally loved and respected. I think this is as much Brownie taking some time to see what's what before he works on making a commitment.

JD is smooth enough that I think he could be successful with just about anyone in the booth, but his relationship with Brown is special and will be very tough to duplicate.

[OregonStrosFan]

This is my concern too. I don't think that the lack of communication, or at least the public reports of any communication, is necessarily a problem. This article is a not-so-veiled affirmation of what we've wondered about for a bit, whether or not Brownie will be coming back. It's always possible that the new network and the team would make changes, and lord knows they've pulled a few triggers, but the booth crew seems to be universally loved and respected. I think this is as much Brownie taking some time to see what's what before he works on making a commitment.

JD is smooth enough that I think he could be successful with just about anyone in the booth, but his relationship with Brown is special and will be very tough to duplicate.

To steal a retort from Mr. Happy, let me just say: "+1"

[BudGirl]

Sometimes they do, but not this one I suspect.  See: Tortious interference, fear of.

If I was a new RSN, I'd certainly be as careful as I could to try to avoid giving the ousted network any ammunition to come after me with.  Not sure why this didn't happen with Esch (other than there was probably something about his contract that allowed them to be able to do so, it had expired, etc.), but can certainly understand why contact or communication would be limited with Deshaies, Brownie, or Lucas - to do otherwise would be idiotic.

JD and Brownie WILL be in the booth next year if they want to be (educated speculation).  My concern is not whether Crane Co. will jettison either, but rather if Brownie wants to continue on or is ready to call it a career and retire.

I appreciate the thread and the concern - it'd be (another) knife in the heart not to have JD and Brownie back, but IMO there is a lot of Chicken Little "the sky is falling" going on here in this thread...

+1

[jbm]

OSF, to support your theory, I think you have to explain away Eschenfelder's appearances in the booth.  It is a data point that doesn't neatly fit into the "nothing is amiss" scenario. 

[geezerdonk]

DeShaies gets better every year. I can't imagine that ownership doesn't recognize what a valuable asset he is.

"Bad pitching beats bad hitting" - his best line this year.

[BudGirl]

The only bobble head I have on my desk at work is JD and Brownie.  (Of course, the Brad one's stay at home.)  To lose them for reasons other than they want to retire would bother me more than I would like to admit.

[OregonStrosFan]

OSF, to support your theory, I think you have to explain away Eschenfelder's appearances in the booth.  It is a data point that doesn't neatly fit into the "nothing is amiss" scenario. 

Understood and appreciated.  Off the top of my head, I'd say Brownie made it known in one way or another that he is not sure if he wants to be back in 2013 (or at least not sure he'll do road games), or something along those lines. And he has done a number of 'spot fill-ins' (though still a minority of his appearances), and they may very well want someone to be able to do so more smoothly in the future should the need arise.  Don't really know for sure, but as sure as my name is OregonStrosFan JD and Brownie will be in the booth next season if they want to be in the booth! Eh? Oh yeah.  Seriously though, they are back if they want to be. COUNT ON IT!

[Limey]

JD is smooth enough that I think he could be successful with just about anyone in the booth, but his relationship with Brown is special and will be very tough to duplicate.

I think it's clear from previous examples that Crane et al aren't that bothered about any Astros' staff or tradition.  Even the name was debated.

Thus, it is not a stretch to assume that they are not rolling out the red carpet for JD and Brownie.  JD, I'm sure, could get a bigger gig if he wanted.  Brownie could call games for anyone.  They both may be tired of watching this horseshit show, and if the front office are being dickish to them...

[Limey]

The only bobble head I have on my desk at work is JD and Brownie.  (Of course, the Brad one's stay at home in the nightstand.) 

FIFY.

[Andyzipp]

Understood and appreciated.  Off the top of my head, I'd say Brownie made it known in one way or another that he is not sure if he wants to be back in 2013 (or at least not sure he'll do road games), or something along those lines. And he has done a number of 'spot fill-ins' (though still a minority of his appearances), and they may very well want someone to be able to do so more smoothly in the future should the need arise.  Don't really know for sure, but as sure as my name is OregonStrosFan JD and Brownie will be in the booth next season if they want to be in the booth! Eh? Oh yeah.  Seriously though, they are back if they want to be. COUNT ON IT!

This is completely half-assed rememberies and speculation, but I thought that Eschenfelder (and Patti Smith) was an employee for Fox Sports SW/Hou, where JD & Brown are employed directly by the Houston Astros, although Bill Brown is also employed by Fox.  So the timing of the Eschenfelder move makes sense.

[MusicMan]

FIFY.

Ew.

[Bench]

This is completely half-assed rememberies and speculation, but I thought that Eschenfelder (and Patti Smith) was an employee for Fox Sports SW/Hou, where JD & Brown are employed directly by the Houston Astros, although Bill Brown is also employed by Fox.  So the timing of the Eschenfelder move makes sense.

That's my understanding as well.  Lucas is an FSH employee as well, along with Art Howe, Steve Sparks and the rest of the pre and post game crew.

But my understanding is also based on half-assed rememberies and speculation.

[BudGirl]

Ew.

Don't worry, I keep Brad in a clear case, with an alarm.

[Limey]

Don't worry, I keep Brad in a clear case, with an alarm.

With a hammer marked "In case of Emergency"...

[jbm]

I'm not disputing the recollections that they are both Astros employees, but if they are, why not just come out and say that they will be in the booth next year?  Also, if they are Astros employees, why the "limited contact" as reported in the blog?

The theory that Brownie is contemplating his future and that has clouded things is plausible, but it doesn't explain why there has been no info on JD, or no clarifying statement from the team or Comcast.   Just come out and say "JD will return, Brownie is welcome, and if he chooses to reduce his role, that scenario is welcome also."

[BizidyDizidy]

Maybe they are negotiating

[jbm]

Maybe they are negotiating

Thanks.  Obvious explanation which eluded me.  It would explain a lot. 

[juliogotay]

http://blog.chron.com/sportsmedia/2012/09/eschenfelder-signs-off-on-fs-houston-as-move-to-comcast-network-looms/

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Other than the joy I get from watching the game (at any level) my emotional attachment regarding the Astros is at an all time low. Yet, I choose not to abandon them, they will always be my team. I'm just getting where I care less and less about MLB.  I will still remotely follow the team as they try to regain some credibility and take delight in the development of the young talent.  I'll still check the box score and recaps and will always find spikes-n-stars interesting.

If and when the current brain-trust gets around to providing a competitive MLB product, I'll start getting all excited about the Astros again but now it's kind of hard to muster any sense of enthusiasm. There are plenty of other options and ways to spend time during the season. McClane laid the dynamite and Crane dropped the hammer, the old band wagon got blown to bits. I'm not seeing any handles or railings or steps or ladders, on this new one they're building, it's looks like it's mostly built out of discarded parts and shit off the scrap pile.

[Ty in Tampa]

Other than the joy I get from watching the game (at any level) my emotional attachment regarding the Astros is at an all time low. Yet, I choose not to abandon them, they will always be my team. I'm just getting where I care less and less about MLB.  I will still remotely follow the team as they try to regain some credibility and take delight in the development of the young talent.  I'll still check the box score and recaps and will always find spikes-n-stars interesting.

If and when the current brain-trust gets around to providing a competitive MLB product, I'll start getting all excited about the Astros again but now it's kind of hard to muster any sense of enthusiasm. There are plenty of other options and ways to spend time during the season. McClane laid the dynamite and Crane dropped the hammer, the old band wagon got blown to bits. I'm not seeing any handles or railings or steps or ladders, on this new one they're building, it's looks like it's mostly built out of discarded parts and shit off the scrap pile.

This. The hit for me has been caring about MLB altogether...right now, anyway.

[Limey]

This. The hit for me has been caring about MLB altogether...right now, anyway.

Hard to give a shit about an organisation that is happy to throw a team and its fanbase under a bus on a whim.

[roadrunner]

I think it's clear from previous examples that Crane et al aren't that bothered about any Astros' staff or tradition.  Even the name was debated.

Thus, it is not a stretch to assume that they are not rolling out the red carpet for JD and Brownie.  JD, I'm sure, could get a bigger gig if he wanted.  Brownie could call games for anyone.  They both may be tired of watching this horseshit show, and if the front office are being dickish to them...

I don't think we can say the name was debated.  Crane basically responded to a question and the whole city went nuts.  He then within days said the name was not changing.

I'm the biggest apologist for Crane/Postolos/Luhnow, but I think this is another case where everyone is applying early unnecessary blame to what is just a possible Brownie retirement.

[roadrunner]

Hard to give a shit about an organisation that is happy to throw a team and its fanbase under a bus on a whim.

This statement makes no sense to me.  They're obviously trying to make the team better the right way, they are going back old uniforms and colors that we all love, have roped in Biggio to the organization, and have lowered ticket prices for games.  

We all wanted Drayton to start rebuidling years ago and now that the new guys are finally doing it we hate it?  Being really shitty is part of the process.  I thought everyone understood that.

I understand the frustration for the AL move, but everything the new FO has done is for the better in my opinion.

[Ty in Tampa]

I understand the frustration for the AL move,

This is all of what it's about, for me. I can handle the rebuilding.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This statement makes no sense to me.  They're obviously trying to make the team better the right way, they are going back old uniforms and colors that we all love, have roped in Biggio to the organization, and have lowered ticket prices for games.  

We all wanted Drayton to start rebuidling years ago and now that the new guys are finally doing it we hate it?  Being really shitty is part of the process.  I thought everyone understood that.

I understand the frustration for the AL move, but everything the new FO has done is for the better in my opinion.

I believe he's referring to MLB as a whole.

[roadrunner]

I believe he's referring to MLB as a whole.

Oh.  Then yeah I agree.  At least I met my weekly quota for defending the current Astros ownership.


For some sick reason I'm enjoying baseball as a whole more than ever.  I think it's because football has become so mass media diluted that it bores me (other than the Texans, which is awesome right now) and the NBA is the most annoying/backwards major sport out there.  I have really gotten into the EPL this year, though.

[MusicMan]

I believe he's referring to MLB as a whole.

Don't be so literal.  He's referring to dairy producers of all types.

[Limey]

I believe he's referring to MLB as a whole.

Bingo!

[Navin R Johnson]

In terms of JD & Brownie, they are probably the only 2 safe from the Drayton regime, they are only leaving if they decide too.  The Astros are not firing them.  Like I said in the other post though, Brown may very well retire at the end of the year.

[austro]

the NBA is the most annoying/backwards major sport out there.

I think you're overlooking the biggest clusterfuck out there: the NHL. Although I suppose you could argue that it's not a major sport.

[Gizzmonic]

My Astros fandom can survive a move to the AL (just barely).  I don't think it could survive the loss of JD and Brownie.  Especially with the Game Show Twins on the radio.

[remy]

My Astros fandom can survive a move to the AL (just barely).  I don't think it could survive the loss of JD and Brownie.  Especially with the Game Show Twins on the radio.

This pretty much sums up my feelings exactly.

[Mr. Happy]

My Astros fandom can survive a move to the AL (just barely).  I don't think it could survive the loss of JD and Brownie.  Especially with the Game Show Twins on the radio.

I'm rock solid with the club through the AL move. However, I would be very disappointed if Brownie and JD weren't back next season, and I would write a letter to Crane in that event.

[Fredia]

good for you   shakes fist in air

[Guinness]

I'm rock solid with the club through the AL move.

I'm with you on that, Mr H!

[geezerdonk]

An organization that is capable of giving Brian Bogusevic 400 PAs is an organization that is capable of anything, including letting go one of the best broadcasters in baseball.

[Mr. Happy]

An organization that is capable of giving Brian Bogusevic 400 PAs is an organization that is capable of anything, including letting go one of the best broadcasters in baseball.

That's really scary, isn't it? Bogusevic has hit .145 since August 1 and hasn't homered since June, which, ironically, was the last month in which he hit over .200. They've just got to cut bait on the draft pick and move on.

[Ron Brand]

That's really scary, isn't it? Bogusevic has hit .145 since August 1 and hasn't homered since June, which, ironically, was the last month in which he hit over .200. They've just got to cut bait on the draft pick and move on.

But he had a really deep flyout Sunday. He's so close to developing that power LH bat...just a few more ABs...

[Mr. Happy]

But he had a really deep flyout Sunday. He's so close to developing that power LH bat...just a few more ABs...

That and a buck will get you a ride on the New Orleans streetcar (note: I haven't ridden it in a good while, so it may well cost more now).

[gwat]

Other than the joy I get from watching the game (at any level) my emotional attachment regarding the Astros is at an all time low. Yet, I choose not to abandon them, they will always be my team. I'm just getting where I care less and less about MLB.  I will still remotely follow the team as they try to regain some credibility and take delight in the development of the young talent.  I'll still check the box score and recaps and will always find spikes-n-stars interesting.

If and when the current brain-trust gets around to providing a competitive MLB product, I'll start getting all excited about the Astros again but now it's kind of hard to muster any sense of enthusiasm. There are plenty of other options and ways to spend time during the season. McClane laid the dynamite and Crane dropped the hammer, the old band wagon got blown to bits. I'm not seeing any handles or railings or steps or ladders, on this new one they're building, it's looks like it's mostly built out of discarded parts and shit off the scrap pile.

[Mr. Happy]

I have faith in Luhnow and Crane to build a new Astros team from the ground up. I plan on sticking with them. I liked their approach to the draft as well as their draft selections. I very much applaud the selection of a young, fiery manager in Bo Porter. The Void sucks, as I'm already looking forward to spring training, knowing in advance that we're likely to lose more than a hundred games again. Now, if I could just find a shooting star jersey in size 56...