HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 08: Kevin Eschenfelder speaks during the Houston Sports Awards on February 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images for Houston Sports Awards) | Getty Images for Houston Sports He’s been part of our lives for decades and his passion for Houston sports runs deep. Originally logging stats at the age of 15 at the Astrodome during Oilers and Astros games, Kevin Eschenfelder’s love for the “home team” has never wavered. On the majority of nights, he’s the welcoming voice that greets and navigates Pre & Post Game shows around contests on Space City Home Network. The native Houstonian joins us today exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to talk Astros as we get ready for the home stretch.
Q: Would it surprise if only 83 or 84 victories won the A.L. West outright this year?
A: Honestly, I do think that would surprise me. I get where everyone is in the standings right now, but I have a feeling that somebody is going to take off. Between the Astros and Mariners and Rangers, somebody is going to get hot down the stretch and whoever does, is going to win this division. I don’t think everyone is going to stay as they are right now. One of those teams is going to have a really good September, we’ll just wait to see who it is.
Q: Speaking of September, who is going to be that third bat to generate offense consistently for the Astros behind Yordan & Pena?
A: Isaac Parades is so good. I don’t think anybody realized how good he was when they traded for him. He’s such a good hitter. In order to lengthen that lineup, there are four choices. You have to get Christian Walker and Jose Altuve going and then the X-factors are Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith. Walker had the 11-game hitting streak, we all know what Altuve can do with multi-hit games when the lights are the brightest. Those are the guys to watch.
Q: How special will this weekend be with Alan Ashby and the late Phil Garner going into the Astros Hall of Fame?
A: It’s wonderful that we had two guys who contributed in so many different ways, not just to the Astros organization but to our city. Ash did it as a very good player and switch-hitting catcher and then was a broadcaster and coach. He did a little bit of everything and has always been visible in the community. With Phil Garner, everyone loved him. When he came over from the Pirates in the 80’s, he locked down that second base position and helped those teams learn how to win. Then of course in 2005 as Manager, he was so special. Phil was also one of the great storytellers. I was always so thankful to be in his presence, and I knew many of his stories like the back of my hand, but I enjoyed hearing them and having them told to the fans.
Q: When was the last time you were with Phil?
A: We did a symposium together at Fan Fest and he told his stories which everyone loved. I’m so happy that Carol and the kids on Saturday will be there to receive that honor and recognition. He was special.
Q: I’m a radio guy at heart and like so many, I marvel at your versatility. How different is the preparation when you’re calling a game from the booth, as opposed what you do in the Space City studios?
A: There’s not a lot of comparison. The Pre and Post Game is 22 minutes of content, and you know what you need to know for those particular programs. However, when you’re doing a live game, you never know what you’ll need to know (laughs). You have to know a little bit of everything, so I’d say that’s the biggest difference. I just put my nose into it, start studying, find a few storylines on players and then identify the right place to use it. That’s the real challenge. The preparation is much greater.