AWFUL ANNOUNCING
Ken Hoffman on why Astros fans deserve a better broadcast team
Oct 7, 2019, 1:01 pm
Composite photo by Brandon Strange
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
David Barron, TV-sports columnist for the Houston Chronicle, explained it to me. "The national networks pay a lot of money for broadcast rights, and they want a telecast that appeals to the largest possible audience. Partisan broadcasters aren't paid to appeal to the largest possible audience.
They're paid to telecast a game from the standpoint of the team that pays them and of the viewers watching them. Why would a Rays fan want to hear a broadcast from the standpoint of an announcer paid by the Astros, and vice-versa?"
That's why we're stuck with the Fox broadcast team of Kenny Albert, Joe Girardi, A.J. Pierzynski, and J.P. Morosi for the Astros' American League Divisional Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. I'm not saying the Fox team is biased against Houston, or unfair in any way. I don't like when Houston fans constantly scream that. I am saying the Fox team is lame. And Houston fans, also Tampa Bay fans, deserve better.
Also not saying that Fox should have hired the Astros broadcast team of Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum, and Julia Morales to do the ALDS nationally. But technology exists for Fox to have a separate audio channel just for Kalas and Co. in the Houston market. And vice-versa for the Rays announcers in Tampa.
The Fox announce team comes up short for interest, analysis, entertainment, and just plain fun. They're making the games boring. Definitely for Houston fans, probably for the rest of the country.
Kenny Albert is so singularly focused on the Astros-Rays series that he did play-by-play for the Texans-Falcons NFL game on Sunday. Girardi is so focused on the Astros-Rays series that more than once his partners made him swear he'd be around for Game 3 and 4 and 5 if necessary.
Girardi is rumored to be a candidate for several baseball managers jobs. Pierzynski is a lightweight. Earlier this season, Fox did an Astros-Yankees game where Aaron Judge was awarded first base due to catcher's interference. Pierzynski, thinking that Judge would be charged an at bat, said he hoped Judge didn't wind up with a .299 batting average, which would be .300 if not for the catcher's interference.
Uh, anybody who ever flipped a baseball card into a trash can knows that players don't get charged an at bat due to catcher's interference. Pierzynski was a catcher for 19 years in the big leagues … and didn't know the rule about catcher's interference.
J.P. Morosi interviewed Alex Bregman after he hit a critical home run in Game 2 of the ALDS and asked Bregman what advice he had for young players. Nine innings to think that up? What is this, high school career day? Flyweight.
Continue on CultureMap for Ken Hoffman's thoughts on how they should improve the broadcast.
The Texans’ preseason trip to Minnesota offered a glimpse of both optimism and reality checks. Davis Mills looked sharp leading a touchdown drive, continuing what’s been a strong camp for the backup quarterback. If Houston — knock on wood — ever has to lean on Mills for a stretch, he’s looking capable of keeping things afloat. The offensive line, one of the most important pieces to the Texans’ 2025 puzzle, showed noticeable progress. And the receiving corps made their presence felt, with John Metchie leading the way (five catches, 45 yards) and Jaylin Noel and Braxton Berrios adding a few highlight plays, including a Berrios touchdown.
Is the offensive line improving?
The line’s development is critical after C.J. Stroud took the second-most sacks in the NFL last season. Rookie tackle Aireontae Ersery has been one of the brightest surprises of camp, building on his strong practice work with another good showing against the Vikings. Blake Fisher has slipped in the depth chart, and it appears Tytus Howard is still a possibility at right tackle. Projected starting left tackle Cam Robinson has been banged up. So with injuries still lingering, the Texans have been mixing and matching groups regularly, but the cohesion is starting to show. If this unit keeps trending upward, it changes everything — not just for Stroud, but for the run game.
What should we expect from the running backs?
Speaking of the backs, the group remains in flux. Joe Mixon, fresh off a big 2024 season, is out with a lower leg injury and there’s no clear timetable for his return. Nick Chubb has cleared concussion protocol, and Damien Pierce is back in the mix, giving Houston some depth, if the blocking is there. Against Minnesota, the o-line looked more cohesive and sharper in their assignments. If those holes start opening consistently, every back on the roster will benefit.
This defense is legit
Defensively, this is still where the Texans can flex. The defensive line looks like a potential game-wrecker, and the linebacker group just got a boost with Christian Harris returning to practice. Harris and E.J. Speed bring the kind of speed and explosiveness that fits perfectly in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme. At corner, the Texans remain elite, but the safety position bears watching. C.J. Gardner-Johnson appears to have avoided major knee damage, though there’s no set return date. Jalen Mills was signed for depth, and Jalen Pitre (in theory) could shift back to safety at times while rookie Jaylin Smith or another corner mans the nickel. Ryans has options, and how he deploys them will be worth tracking over the next couple of weeks.
Texans-Panthers
Looking ahead to the Texans-Panthers matchup, all eyes will be on whether Stroud gets a series or two and builds some early chemistry with his new targets. But make no mistake — the microscope is staying firmly on the offensive line. If they keep building momentum now, it could be the difference between a good Texans season and a great one.
There's so much more to break down! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The NFL season is almost upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Texans on Tap podcast, which drops each Thursday during the preseason! More episodes will ramp up when the regular season begins! We'll go live on YouTube after every regular-season game.
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