There's a whole host of Astros bloggers on Twitter with their panties in a wad over this, so anxious to blame Crane for Deshaies' decision. Silly.
Well ain't that a pisser. If they lose Bill Brown, too, I'm done with this team. Ok, not really but I will be extremely disappointed. I was for replacement of the radio guys as they were simply terrible. Maybe separately they would have been fine, but together...bad. There was almost no way to distinguish one from the other. I'm still hoping they give Mike Capps (radio guy for Round Rock Express) a call. If you want a guy who genuinely loves the game and who calls it like you'd like to think you would, he's the man.
Unbelievable The Astros never were really competitive with their offer, one source said, believing Deshaies' ties to the organization would keep him from leaving. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...1204_1_diamondbacks-tv-len-kasper-bob-vorwald
I have no idea if that source is correct, misquoted or an actual source. What I do know is that WGN is big time. That Deshaies professed his love for Chicago and Wrigley. That he had a very rare opportunity and he pounced on it, despite being offered a multi-year deal here in Houston. By the by...I'm not remotely interested in my home team getting in a bidding war over a mother falcon broadcaster.
Going to cover both extremes: To those that said JD isn't that good or didn't care for him: what baseball color guys do you like? There are definitely some, but JD is one of, if not "the" best color guy in baseball and that is hardly just a local opinion. JD is revered nationally as one of the best, hence, why he got the job in one of America's biggest cities with one of the most historic teams To those that said they're done with the team. Really? Are you done watching baseball? Going to root for the addicts a few hours north on 45? To those blaming the owners, I don't blame them. I bet they would have matched or slightly exceeded the Cubs offer, but it's the freaking CUBS! You can say you hate the team and it's very easy to do when they lose 100+ games, but then don't say you've been a loyal fan when we're playing late in October.
This... I am in Chicago and JD will be on the radio at noon on The Score to discuss why he left the Astros. Look, the Astros wanted him back, but the Cubs really wanted someone competent to replace Bob Brenly. JD loves Chicago and Wrigley field. Eventhough JD was drafted by the Astros and has a relationship spanning nearly 30 years, he is not from Houston and his family has lived in a number of towns over the years. As someone that lives in Chicago I can see why JD wants to go, baseball is HUGE here, there are so many Cub fans and they are fanatics. The problem is that the fans also are extremely critical of everyone from the players to the grounds crew. Also the Cubs organization has ground up and spit out a number of broadcasters. A big part of what make Harry Carrey and Steve Stone so popular was that they completely involved themselves in the fraternity boy atmosphere of Wrigley and the surrounding bars and neighborhoods. I just cannot see JD partying like Brenly did or Carrey and Stone.... for that reason I don't think he will ever be special there. Last... as an Astros fan I do not want a broadcaster that wants to be doing the same job for the Cubs or another team. That is why Bill Brown and Larry Dierker have a special place in my heart..... When we are winning no one will care about our announcers.
This sucks so much scroat is sickens me. About the ONLY reason I would even stay tuned in for more than 5 minutes watching this horrible franchise was to listen to his hilarious comments. LOVED D. I really have zero reason to even watch another 'Stros game again. I've slowly been getting more and more bored with baseball, but now with the AA squad, moving to the AL, one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, losing probably the best color commentator in the country to the ****ing Cubs...just, meh. BTW- He's also filled in a lot for Saturday Baseball on FOX. He is well known throughout broadcasting, so not surprised he went for a better job and a better city. I would have done the same.
If anyone is interested....... JD agreed to take $500,000 a year for the Cubs gig...... Bob Brenly, in the same position last year made over $900,000......
I didn't realize there was so much love for JD. He was a decent commentator and a decent pitcher for us. True...he has been pretty loyal up until now. I liked him but not as much as you guys apparently. But, maybe we can get Bagwell to do some monotone pbp now full-time?
Good career move for JD. I was never a huge fan of the Bill Brown/JD tandem. I don't know if my problem was with one or them or just them being together. But either way, I ain't even mad. Plus, I have Uverse, so who knows if I'd ever be able to watch a game anyways.
Chip Caray went to TBS then Fox Sports South. Steve Stone worked some for ESPN. But, yeah, it isn't a stepping stone. Its just one of the biggest jobs in the business.
It is a stepping stone financially. Caray, Stone and Brenly have cashed in after being with the Cubs.
Nobody can touch Carrey and while JD won't be partying, he'll be great in Chicago. He will love the fact that the city thrives on baseball and the Cubs and it will show in his broadcasting.
In Chicago JD has appeared on a few radio shows this morning.... JD said that he left the Astros for the Cubs because of the atmosphere in Wrigley, even when the Cubs and Astros played as two 100 loss teams this last year..... Said he is very excited to have the job in Chicago, it is the best in all of baseball.... Said he jumped at the Cubs offer as soon as they offered it to him.... Said that he would still be with the Astros had the Cubs not made the offer...
