In listening to Fox Tv baseball analyst John Smoltz over the years, it is refreshing to listen to his in depth game analysis in the playoffs. Fox's Joe Davis is ok for play by play, but his chemistry with Smoltz and his voice make him a good partner to Smoltz. Smoltz is the key player as he is a multi-year WS champion and his communication skills and acumen are outstanding. They are announcing the games for the ALCS with Toronto and Seattle, including tonight. Compare Smoltz / Davis to our Astros Broadcast duo of Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum at Space City Home Network and it is laughable. Todd and Geoff talk more about opposing teams and mundane topics than the Astros. Their in depth analysis and stats are too few and far between and they lack intricate baseball analysis and insights. They talk more about nothing that I have to mute them often. For instance when Framber Valdez crossed the catcher Cesar Salazar the duo of Todd and Geoff missed it when it was obvious what happened. Events like this happen all too often where an event happens and Todd and Geoff are too focused on other mundane topics that many times are not baseball related. Astros fans are missing much baseball analysis and acumen due to this subpar duo. Compare this to Smoltz who stops when on a topic due to an important play occurring in the game. Blum and Kalas all to often rarely stop their mundane conversation when an in game important event happens. Geoff's best days are with the White Sox and many times he doesn't give Astros the benefit of the doubt. Overall he is more of a "lets settle for someone mediocre" as an analyst. Astros Fans deserve better. Fans need to know more information as in injury updates, in game analysis of hit and run, stolen bases, sacrifice bunt per player, and pinch hit availability for situations, etc. Geoff Blum needs to go and are not fitting for a WS team in the Astros. Todd needs much work to get better. Astros should retire him and find a better resource. Astros Fans deserve better. Kevin Eschenfelder is another that needs to go. Lauren Callender as a host is better but that is not saying much. Astros need a host in the mold of Julia Morales personality as Kevin and Lauren are subpar. Julia Morales is a hit and has great chemistry with the team and everyone. She is a keeper. Plus she has looks and is thin and gets a A plus grade for her skills. Brian Bogusevic should replace Geoff Blum. Brian's analysis it ten times better than Boring Geoff. You can tell Brian is focused and cares about the Astros and studies his role in depth. Josh Reddick is a keeper. He's an ASTROS WS champion and should get more air time. His analysis and pro Astros bias is welcoming. Bagwell in the booth gives a boost to the broadcast team. Bagwell should resign from Astros exec role and work full time in the booth a much better fit for him. We deserve better!
you're comparing a national broadcast team vs. a localized broadcast team. you can't be serious right now. also, you view Smoltz as good announcer and analyst, i view him as a yapper. yaps too much and for too long.
The local guys are also taking up for the team and avoiding bashing guys often. I would bet a lot of money they knew exactly what happened with Frambler but wouldn’t want to say it live on air. It’s just different calling one team over 162 games and calling a national broadcast once a week and then the playoffs. I watch a lot of teams around the country and listen to their announcers on MLB TV and I really like the Astros broadcast crew over many others
Kalas/Blum (and the radio guys) are employed and paid for by the Astros… not the network. Smoltz is good though. Has almost too much stuff to say… which is probably the biggest issue people have with him (he’s always talking).
Yappy is a term I would use for Kalas & Blum, especially Blum. They will go on and on about nonsensical topics like a couple ladies gossiping about the neighbors to no end while important nuances are occurring in the game that they overlook due to ineptitude. Too many people make excuses for this subpar duo. Smoltz discusses strategy and crucial details only a great pitcher and analyst would know. It helps baseball newbies understand baseball better and become baseball literate which is in need. Space City Home Network should find an Astros former pitcher to replace Blum. Bogusevic was drafted by the Astros as a SP before converting to the outfield so he would be better suited. Blum didn't pitch so he is less suitable and is overall clueless and lazy as he does little homework of value to announce the games. Time for Space City Home Network and Astros to level up!
Smoltz suggested when Woo was pitching to Vladimir inside and Vladdy was fouling them off, to pitch a breaking ball outside. Next pitch was outside and struck Vladdy out, who's been a hitting machine against Seattle. Unbelievable strategic insights that was spot on, and one that a great analyst can make. Smoltz mentions with nobody out and a guy on first and third, not to send the first base runner due to a line drive out which could result in a double play. Sure enough next pitch, a line drive out to first and double play. Wow. Makes you love baseball even more to listen to him recommend, predict and analyze. Davis then suggests that in the seventh inning if Munoz the closer who has been phenomenal, should come in with a 3-1 lead as the start of the lineup is due (Springer) and Munoz has had much rest. Seattle does differently and brings a different reliever, Bazardo, who gives up a 3 run HR that loses the game for Seattle. Smoltz then recommends Seattle pinch hit for Robles, and sure enough Seattle does. Smoltz is like Tom Brady is to football analysis. Anyone arguing that Smoltz isn't a great analyst is downright foolish to put it politely. nuff said.
Are you Smotz's wife? I don't have any issue with Smoltz. But I don't want to read all this crap on an Astros board. I actually like the current pairs ( and Julia) just fine
I think you’re onto something. The handle has “crush” in it and the “s” is a “$” which would = Smoltz!
Blum is solid in my opinion. His phrases after certain players hit a homer are a little corny but other than that he’s pretty good.
We are lucky to have Kalas and Blum, they are by far the best local broadcast crew we've had since Worrell and Murph. Ackerman and Hollins on the other hand....
