Ford reflects on trailblazing broadcast career with Astros

Broadcaster Robert Ford reached a milestone on Feb. 13 – it was the 10th anniversary of the Astros hiring him to be the lead play-by-play voice on the radio. He became the first African American in team history to have such a role.

Looking back on the decade that has passed, Ford still remembers the geographic whirlwind that was his first week on the job.

“It was the day before Valentine’s Day when the team announced [my employment],” Ford remembered. “I flew to Houston. The team introduced us in front of the media. Five minutes before we went to talk to the media was the first time I met Steve Sparks, my broadcast partner.

“We didn’t know each other at all, but it ended up being a fantastic marriage on the radio. A week later, I was driving from Kansas City to Houston to drop my car off and then getting on a plane to Florida [for Spring Training].”

Since Ford joined the broadcast, the Astros have enjoyed their greatest stretch in franchise history. They’ve appeared in the AL Championship series six consecutive years (2017-22), won four pennants (’17, ’19, ’21, and ’22) and two World Series titles (’17 and ’22).

Ford said his call of Jose Altuve’s series-ending home run against the Yankees in the 2019 ALCS is his favorite moment as an Astros broadcaster.

As Black History Month continues, it's worth noting that in 2017 Ford became only the second African-American broadcaster to call play-by-play during a World Series-clinching game (Bill White was the first in 1978 and that was also on the radio).

Five years later, when the Mariners faced the Astros in the American League Division Series, Ford and the Mariners’ Dave Sims made history. It marked the first playoff series that had an African-American play-by-play broadcaster for each team. Ford wasn’t aware of this until ESPN reporter Marly Rivera brought it to his attention before the start of the series.

“Sometimes, it’s about being in the right place at the right time,” Ford said. “I certainly would have never forecast this when I got to the Astros in 2013. They were coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons and the question going into Spring Training was, were they going to lose 100 games again? And they did. They lost 111 games, which is the most the Astros ever had in a season.

“You knew there was a plan. They were rebuilding and all those things, but you don’t know if it’s going to pan out or not. But it certainly has with the Astros. Not only has it panned out, but it has led to an era of sustained success. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to broadcast all these games.”

During this run of success, Ford has brought excitement into the booth. He is known for his signature catchphrase, “See you later, see you later, see you later” any time an Astros player hits a big home run to end an important game. That phrase can now be seen on T-shirts, and Ford’s cut of the proceeds goes to the Astros Foundation.

“I called 92 playoff games and have a phrase on a T-shirt. These are things you do not envision when you get to the big leagues as a broadcaster,” he said.

Ford doesn’t remember exactly when he first used his signature call, but he does know it started soon after he joined the Astros.

“I said it a few times. I like the way it sounds,” Ford said. “I don’t say it for every home run. I certainly say it often. I thought it worked well. It’s neat when those things catch on.”

Ford, a Bronx native, grew up a Mets fan. He admired broadcasters Tim McCarver and Gary Cohen for their candor and their penchant for looking ahead before a certain play even happened.

Ford attended Syracuse University at the suggestion of his father, Robert Sr. When Ford was in elementary school, his dad mentioned to him that Bob Costas and a lot of other respected broadcasters went to Syracuse, a school well-known for developing future sports broadcasters. Robert Jr. would later follow his father’s advice, and he graduated with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.

“The great thing about Syracuse was that it gave me – as far as broadcasting goes – a pretty well-rounded education in terms of just understanding all the different aspects of a television broadcast and a radio broadcast, whether it be writing, production in addition to on-air stuff,” he said. “It also helped me get a better idea of what I wanted to do. … Play by play was what I wanted to do, so Syracuse helped me in that regard.”

As he prepares for his 11th season with Houston, Ford said he expects 2023 to be special, given the Astros seemingly have the roster to repeat as World Series champions.

“When you think of 2023, the entire bullpen is going to be back. It was so good last year. It was definitely the best bullpen the Astros have had over this run,” Ford said.

“The rotation is going to be back for the most part except for [Justin] Verlander [who signed with the Mets]. Shortstop Jeremy Peña will have another year under his belt. Kyle Tucker has been really good. He doesn’t get as much attention as he should for how good he has been. This team should be very good again.”