’Stros Across The Globe

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, 2013 No.1 overall MLB Draft pick for the Houston Astros, pitcher Mark Appel (@markappel26). In a fascinating and revealing conversation, Appel sheds light on what he has been doing over the off-season and detailing how he is approaching setting goals for the 2023 season, after his emotional achievement of finally succeeding in making his Major League Baseball debut in 2022 for the Phillies. Following this, Appel opens up in detail over his troubled years trying to manage the immense expectations of signing with the Astros as a No.1 overall Draft pick, looking at the pressures and depression he faced en route to his lowest points. Afterward, Appel moves on to assess how he was able to make it through these difficult times and rebuild himself both as a man and a baseball player, finding himself emerging on the other side with a positive outlook on life. The discussion concludes with Appel's evaluation of the controversial rule changes introduced by Major League Baseball for the 2023 season and a view on the forthcoming 2023 edition of the World Baseball Classic. #Astros #Ready2Reign #StrosAcrossTheGlobe Get over to the Apollo store for the fantastic Astros and Houston-based merch available so you can rep the best team in baseball and H-Town wherever you may be! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, relief pitcher for the Houston Astros, Ryne Stanek (@rstanek_55). An interesting and insightful conversation opens with an assessment of how Stanek views the Astros' 2021 season up to this point, before breaking down the team's experience of playing in front of loud and hostile crowds in all road games played and how they are managing not only to deal with it but using it to bond closer together. Stanek goes on to explain how his experience of being an Astro differs from his perception of the club from the outside before joining and how much of a family unit the Astros clubhouse is. Stanek gives his view on the difficulties facing players on and off the field when traded mid-season and explains the relationship between himself, Kendall Graveman and closer Ryan Pressly as the Astros' remodelled back-end of the bullpen. Stanek also details further on the methodology of pitching coach Brent Strom when assessing new pitching recruits, before giving his views on MLB rule changes introduced in 2020. The discussion also includes a look at Ryne Stanek's road to becoming a major leaguer and the pressures he faced after not signing when drafted the first time around. Additionally, find out the winner of the latest Apollo Media t-shirt competition! #Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world! Get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, pitcher for the Houston Astros, Kent Emanuel (@KentEmanuel). An entertaining and informative discussion begins by taking a closer look at his incredible Astros debut vs the Angels in April 2021, focusing on the emotions he felt at finally reaching the major league team and delivering such a memorable performance. Following this, Emanuel breaks down the differences in preparation and training for starting pitchers versus relievers and what it is like working with Brent Strom and Dusty Baker, before moving on to update on his recovery status after undergoing UCL surgery and what the prognosis is on his return. The topic switches to his drive to push Major League Baseball to follow the lead of other sports and introduce a positive test threshold for the metabolite of the steroid DHCMT in the wake of his suspension in 2020. Emanuel also gives his thoughts on MLB's sticky substances crackdown for pitchers, plus his views on life for minor league players and how this could be improved. The chat concludes with a look at his baseball influences as a youngster growing up on the road to the majors. Also, find out the winner of the Apollo Media 'Funk Altuve' t-shirt competition! #Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world! Get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, former Houston Astro from 2015-18, 'El Oso Blanco', Evan Gattis (@BulldogBeing). An extraordinary and starkly open conversation begins with Gattis' thoughts on the 2021 Astros, before taking a hugely in-depth look at his years with the club. This discussion begins with Gattis describing what it was like to be part of the vibrant 2015 Houston Astros who came close to advancing to the American League Championship Series, before detailing his frustrations over the 2016 team narrowly missing out on making the Postseason. Following this, Gattis breaks down the experience of being part of the Houston Astros' 2017 World Series Champions, including his unfiltered, inside views on the subsequent sign stealing cheating scandal. Gattis details what it was like being part of this at the time and the wider response to the scandal, plus his outlook on this in 2021. Subsequently, Gattis gives his thoughts on the latest cheating issue in baseball, regarding pitchers illegally using sticky substances to increase spin, before an overview on cheating throughout baseball history - sign-stealing or otherwise. Finally, the discussion takes a frank and strikingly honest look at Evan Gattis' unique and remarkable path to the majors. #Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world! Also get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there including new item drops for June 2021! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, lead play-by-play announcer for the Houston Astros Spanish radio broadcasts on KLAT 1010 AM, Francisco Romero (@FRomeroAstros). A fascinating and engaging discussion begins with Romero's assessment of the Houston Astros' 2021 season so far and stand-out performers, before looking at the makeup of the Spanish broadcast's listenership across the Latin world. The conversation goes on to explore the relationship between the Astros and its many vibrant Hispanic players. Following this, the focus switches to Romero's preparation and gameday routine for Astros broadcasts, assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on interaction between broadcasters and players. Romero details the groundbreaking role he has had in developing Spanish-language broadcasts across multiple Major League Baseball clubs during his career, offering his advice for people looking to follow in his footsteps into the sports media world in the modern age. Afterward, Romero takes a closer look back at the genesis of his own career, the influences which shaped this path for him and how he took the once-in-a-career opportunity to make his way in the sports broadcast arena. The discussion moves on to highlight the eye-opening dearth of full-time Spanish-language MLB broadcasts across the 30 clubs and evaluates the position of Hispanic baseball players in MLB in 2021. #Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe Introducing the Astros Fans UK Online Store! A new store of customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world! Make sur eyou check it out. Make sure as always too you check out the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

This week’s guest is the long-time field reporter for the Houston Astros for AT&T SportsNet SW, Julia Morales. An entertaining and insightful conversation takes an in-depth look at her daily routine as field reporter on a typical gameday and the many responsibilities attached to the role. Following this the discussion looks at how the trio of Morales, Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum have formed such a charismatic team on Astros broadcasts in recent years and how much this is appreciated by the fans. Her normal routine is then contrasted with that of the challenges presented by the pandemic-affected 2020 season and, subsequently, the effect of fans returning to ballparks in 2021. The focus then switches to Julia Morales' outlook on how the 2021 Astros are shaping up for this year, before then moving on to take a fascinating look at her career journey to make it to where she has, highlighting her major influences along the way and advice she would offer to women seeking to follow in her footsteps. The discussion proceeds to assess the landscape for women working in baseball and what can be done to continue positive improvement of opportunities for a level playing field. Finally, find out who has won the 'H-Town Vs Everyone' t-shirt from Apollo!

This week’s guest is Alex Bierens De Haan, who until very recently worked for 6 years as the Houston Astros' team photographer. An insightful conversation looks at his journey into photography all the way from Sydney, Australia to join the Astros, discussing the relative popularity of baseball Down Under before taking an in-depth look at what his daily routines were as the Astros' photographer. The discussion goes on to assess what challenges De Haan had to overcome with the role in the relentless arena of photographic and video content creation for the Astros, detailing his creative outlook in order to keep his immortalising of Astros moments fresh and engaging for audiences. De Haan contrasts the normal routine with that of the Covid-altered landscape from the 2020 season, before pinpointing his very favourite shots taken as Astros' photographer from the many thousands over the years and then outlining the specific lenses he prefers to use. What he presents here is a rare behind-the-scenes look at the team effort involved to deliver a crucial part of the baseball fan experience which is rarely given the attention and focus which it deserves. 

This week’s guest is the former Houston Astros Director of Pro Scouting and later Special Assistant to the GM for Player Personnel, Kevin Goldstein. A lively and forthright discussion looks at how Goldstein came to join the Astros under Jeff Luhnow as a scout, before assessing what Goldstein's major roles at the club entailed. The conversation goes on to give an insight into Major League Baseball trades in practice, the relationship between opposing front offices and a view on what the Astros were looking for in players they were interested in. Following this, we discuss where the future of analytics in baseball lies, before moving on to an open and frank look at the Astros under the Jeff Luhnow regime and how the public fallout from the 2017 sign stealing scandal unfairly absorbed undeserving individuals, namely including Goldstein himself in connection to an email he had sent at the time. Plus, find out who has won the 'Astros: Generations' competition for the three Astros caps with the last three club logos!

This week’s guest is the much-loved former Houston Astros president of 7 years, Reid Ryan. The conversation covers Reid’s overview on a variety of important issues in baseball ahead of the 2021 season. This includes a look into Major League Baseball’s reasoning behind the contraction of the minor leagues and further assessment of the potentially fractious forthcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Reid also takes a look back at the greatest successes in his Astros front office career, before detailing what being the president of a Major League Baseball club actually entailed on a daily basis. The discussion goes on to assess the merits of the 2021 edition of the Houston Astros in prospect, before Reid gives a message to the many Houston Astros fans who hold him in such high regard. Additionally, find out who has won the competition for the George Springer ‘4EVER’ commemorative t-shirt design by Apollo!

This week’s guest is another Houston Astros relief pitcher, the superb Ryan Pressly. The discussion opens with a range of wider-reaching baseball topics, including Pressly's thoughts on whether 2021 will see a full 162-game Major League Baseball schedule and the forthcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement renewal due, ahead of the 2022 season. Pressly then discusses how he felt having to pitch as a closer for the Astros in 2020 after Roberto Osuna's injury, plus working with Martin Maldonado, Carlos Correa's leadership and Framber Valdez's excellent year, before moving on to give an in-depth look at what life is like as a reliever in the Major Leagues and also insight into the wealth of experience provided by pitching coach Brent Strom and manager Dusty Baker. Pressly additionally speaks on how he manages to keep calm during the most high-pressure pitching scenarios, before giving his outlook on both the departure of George Springer and the re-signing of Michael Brantley. Plus we take a look at Pressly's baseball inspiration growing up in Dallas and his views ahead of the 2021 Houston Astros season.

This week’s guest is one of the Houston Astros' exciting young rookie pitchers who starred in the 2020 season, the explosive reliever Enoli Paredes. The interview covers how he felt upon making his debut in Major League Baseball, how it felt to play in such a uniquely unusual season, plus what the Astros' clubhouse was like in 2020 and the support offered by more experienced players. The discussion also looks at what it was like for Paredes to work under Brent Strom and Dusty Baker, before rounding out with a look back at his journey through baseball from the Dominican Republic all the way to the majors and also how his family inspired him in his career, along with players whom he looked up to as a youngster. Additionally, find out who has won the competition for the Michael Brantley signed baseball as provided by the Houston Astros, with a runner-up also winning an Apollo ‘STROS’ t-shirt!

This week’s guest is the radio voice of the Houston Astros, lead play-by-play announcer Robert Ford. The discussion covers: his views on the early talking points of the coronavirus-affected 2020 MLB season, including the injury risks to players with short preparation and an assessment of the start to the season made by the 2020 Astros. This is followed by an illuminating look at Ford’s radio career journey, through 7 years in the minor leagues to his 8th season in his role with the Astros, before an assessment of the lack of racial diversity in baseball commentary booths and what can be done to change this. Also, find out who has won the Apollo ‘H-Town Vs Everyone’ mask competition open to every Astros fan on the planet!

This week’s guest is former Houston Astros utility infielder/outfielder and present Oakland Athletics player Tony Kemp. The conversation includes: assessment of the belated and pandemic-pressurised 2020 MLB season now underway and how players are coping, a warm look back at Kemp’s 4 years with the Astros organisation, looking at understanding the pressures of playing under such an analytical microscope, before switching to discuss Kemp’s +1 Effect movement seeking to educate people on the subject of racial prejudice and injustice, plus a focus on life as a Black player in MLB and assessing how well MLB are doing to help. Also, find out the winner of the competition for the Apollo ‘Be Someone’ mask based on Lance McCullers Jr.’s spaceman/World Series tattoo open to all Astros fans around the world!

This week’s guest is 2-time former Houston Astros infielder and present AT&T SportsNet SW co-commentator for the Astros, Geoff Blum. A heartfelt and illuminating discussion with Blum covers: the drawn-out MLB/MLBPA dispute over 2020 season proposals including its effect on Minor League Baseball, the health of the Astros in 2020 and beyond, plus the challenges facing Black players in MLB and what can be done to help, followed by a look through Blum’s MLB career, focusing on his two Astros tenures and what it is like to be a Major Leaguer at the mercy of sudden trades. Also, find out the winner of the Justin Verlander replica Astros jersey competition for Astros fans outside the U.S.!

Welcome to ‘Stros Across The Globe - the new podcast presenting an international view of the Houston Astros, hosted by George Martin a.k.a. @AstrosFansUK! Episode 1 features an hour-long interview with the Houston Astros lead television broadcast commentator for AT&T SportsNet SW, Todd Kalas. Topics covered include: MLB proposals for a shortened season in 2020, the 2019 Astros in review, the 2020 Astros in prospect, plus an in-depth discussion on Kalas’ routine for MLB ballgames, his favourite ballparks, a look at his media career to date and a focus on the worldwide Astros fanbase.