For the better part of fourteen seasons, Robert Ford and Steve Sparks have become the soundtrack of the summer for Astros fans throughout the Bayou City and beyond.
Robert joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to discuss a myriad of topics.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how impressed were you by Hunter Brown’s performance on Saturday Night in Chicago?
A: I would say a 10 because it’s the best he’s looked since he’s come back. He had the fastball command and, with Hunter, he’s one of the guys where
you always know that he’s eventually going to figure it out. It’s literally just a matter of time, and it seems like that time came in Chicago.
Q: I know it’s just one in the line of another series, but does it feel like these upcoming games with the Rangers have even more importance in late July?
A: I think that’s true with most division races. It comes down to how you fare against the top teams in your division. All the Astros need is one more win against the Rangers and they’ll clinch the season series, which would be big.
Q: What’s it like calling this record-breaking pace that Yordan Alvarez is on each week?
A: You don’t have to know much about baseball to know that Yordan Alvarez is really good. He’s been consistent since day one. What really impressive is that any lulls that he’s had have been really short and when he breaks out of those, he breaks out in a really big way. It’s a lot of fun to watch him play every day.
Q: Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. Biggest needs in your estimation?
A: No team ever has just one need. Granted, some teams have fewer needs than others, but I think when you look at the Astros, the outfield production hasn’t been what it needs to be and Dana Brown has been pretty open talking about that. I could see an outfielder in particular who hits lefthanded being a bonus. The Astros need more quality left-handed at bats other than Alvarez. That said, every team could use another starting pitcher or another arm in the bullpen. That’s universal. If I had to pinpoint the biggest need, it would be more production in the outfield.
Q: From our fans at Crawfish Boxes, what is your favorite opposing road city to call broadcasts from?
A: It’s so hard to pick one because we go to some great ballparks and places. If I had to choose one, I would pick New York because that’s where I’m from. Houston has become home, but New York will always be home as well and it’s always great getting back there. I always feel more energized when I get back to New York. When the upcoming schedule is unveiled, I always look at those dates in New York first. That’s what I always look at.
