Alan Ashby

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Alan Ashby
Catcher
Batted: Both Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 3, 1973
for the Cleveland Indians
Final game
May 9, 1989
for the Houston Astros
Career statistics
Batting average     .245
Hits     1010
Home Runs     90
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • Texas Sports Hall of Fame: 2000

Alan Dean Ashby (born July 8, 1951 in Long Beach, California) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros.

Ashby is a Latter-day Saint.[1]

Contents

[edit] Playing career

Ashby tied an NL record by catching three no-hitters during his career: Ken Forsch's (April 7, 1979), Nolan Ryan's fifth (September 26, 1981), and Mike Scott's division title clincher (September 25, 1986).

He owns the distinction of being the first ever player acquired via trade for the Toronto Blue Jays when he was traded from Cleveland to Toronto on November 5, 1976 along with 1B/OF Doug Howard in exchange for RHP Al Fitzmorris.

Ashby was also the first Astro to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game (September 27, 1982).

After his playing career, Ashby worked as the Astros' bullpen coach in 1997. He later worked alongside Milo Hamilton as a radio broadcaster for the Astros from 1998-2005.

He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

[edit] Broadcasting career and Managing career

Following his playing career, he moved into broadcasting as he telecast HSE Southwestern Conference Baseball in 1990 and served as Sports Director and Anchor for KHTV Channel 39 Houston from 1990 to 1992. He was the host of the Houston Rockets Show and the Houston Cougars Football's John Jenkins Show. He then served as the co-host of Inside Houston, a televised business magazine in 1994 & 1995.

Along with his broadcasting career he returned to baseball as a Minor League Manager for the Rio Grande Valley White Wings in the Texas-Louisiana League in 1994 & 1995. He Served as Manager of the Houston Astros' Florida State League (A) affiliate, the Kissimmee Cobras in 1996. He went on to join the Major League coaching staff for the Astros in 1997 as Bullpen Coach. In 1998 began working as the colour commentator for Astros' radio broadcasts. Served in that capacity until the 2006 season when the Astros let him go. He was heavily criticized for being too hard and critical of the Astros' play.[citation needed]

In 2007, Ashby signed a three-year contract to become the color man and secondary play-by-play man on the Toronto Blue Jays radio broadcasts, teamed alongside incumbent play-by-play man Jerry Howarth.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Famous Mormons in Baseball Page 1
  2. ^ Bastian, Jordan (2007-01-24). Ashby named new color commentator. Toronto Blue Jays. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Toronto Blue Jays 1977 Inaugural Season
Opening Day
Starting Lineup
C Rick Cerone • 1B Doug Ault • 2B Pedro García • 3B Dave McKay • SS Hector Torres • RF Steve Bowling • CF Gary Woods • LF John Scott • DH Otto Vélez • P Bill Singer
Remaining Roster
C Alan Ashby • C Ernie Whitt • C Phil Roof • 2B Steve Staggs • 3B Roy Howell • 3B/DH Doug Rader • DH/1B/OF Ron Fairly • OF/SS Bob Bailor • LF Al Woods • OF/DH Sam Ewing • SS Jim Mason • SS Tim Nordbrook • SP Jeff Byrd • SP Jim Clancy • SP Jerry Garvin • SP Steve Hargan • SP Jesse Jefferson • SP Dave Lemanczyk • RP Dennis DeBarr • RP Tom Murphy • RP Mike Willis • RP Jerry Johnson • RP Pete Vuckovich • RP Chuck Hartenstein • RP Tom Bruno • RP Mike Darr
Executives and
Broadcasters
Manager Roy Hartsfield • Executive Peter Bavasi • Executive Pat Gillick • Executive Paul Beeston • TV Broadcaster Don Chevrier • TV Broadcaster Whitey Ford • TV Broadcaster Tony Kubek • Radio Broadcaster Tom Cheek • Radio Broadcaster Early Wynn
v • d • e
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Catchers

Alan Ashby (1977) • Rick Cerone (1978-79) • Ernie Whitt (1980-89) • Pat Borders (1990) • Greg Myers (1991) • Pat Borders (1992-94) • Sandy Martinez (1995) • Charlie O'Brien (1996) • Benito Santiago (1997) • Darrin Fletcher (1998-2001) • Ken Huckaby (2002) • Greg Myers (2003) • Gregg Zaun (2004-05) • Bengie Molina (2006) • Gregg Zaun (2007–present)