Houston Astros Announce New Radio & Television Play-By-Play Teams

As the Houston Astros make their way toward their first American League season, fans will have new broadcast teams describing the action.

Television play-by-play voice Bill Brown will remain with the team and call about 100 games for the Astros new television partner, Comcast SportsNet Houston. Brown will be joined by former Astros catcher, coach and radio announcer Alan Ashby (pictured in 1987, right). Ashby will slide into the play-by-play role when Brown is absent and Geoff Blum will move from the studio into the color commentator position.

For the Astros Radio Network, the Astros have hired Robert Ford from the Kansas City Royals to be the team's new play-by-play voice.  Steve Sparks will move from his previous role as television studio host to become the new radio color commentator.

Ford's previous role with the Royals was pre-game and post-game studio host for the Royals Radio Network.

The Astros, and Comcast SportsNet Houston, are still negotiating with cable companies across the state for distribution of CSN Houston (including West Texas). As part of their move to the American League, the Astros are still allowed to regionally televise their games in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.