Astros Extend Broadcasters Kalas, Blum
HOUSTON, TX -- The Astros announced today that the contracts of TV broadcasters Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum have been extended through the 2021 season. The tandem calls games on AT&T SportsNet Southwest, the TV partner of the Houston Astros. Kalas and Blum will once again be joined by sideline reporter and fan-favorite Julia Morales.
The popular duo began calling Astros games together in 2017, which coincides with the Astros winning three straight AL West Division titles with three consecutive 100-win seasons.
“We are thrilled to have Todd and Geoff calling Astros games moving forward,” said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan. “They bring so many outstanding qualities to the telecast on a nightly basis. Not only do they have great chemistry, they also display a great knowledge of the game and present it in a fun and entertaining fashion. Todd and Geoff have earned the respect of our players and staff, and our fans love them. This was really a no-brainer for us.”
The play-by-play man Kalas, who joined the Astros telecast in 2017, has 28 seasons of experience as a broadcaster in professional baseball. Blum, a former Astros player who spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues overall, just completed his seventh season as a color analyst for the Astros in 2019 and his third working alongside Kalas.
In three short seasons, the two have called many of the greatest moments in franchise history, including the clinching of three division titles, two no-hitters and several record-setting milestones accomplished by both the ballclub and by individual players.
“Astros fans expect and deserve an entertaining and engaging broadcast,” said David Peart, General Manager for AT&T SportsNet. “ Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum deliver just that for viewers on AT&T SportsNet’s Astros coverage each and every night. Both are first-class storytellers and broadcasters with impressive knowledge of the history of the Astros and the game of baseball. We are excited that the team of Todd, Geoff and reporter Julia Morales will be together delivering game action to fans throughout the region in the upcoming seasons on the network.”
A native Houstonian, Todd is the son of the late Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Todd was born at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston while his father Harry served as an Astros broadcaster from 1965-70. Todd’s resume includes Major League broadcasting stints with the Phillies, Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. When the Phillies and Rays met in the 2008 World Series, Todd and his father made history by calling an inning together on radio during Game One of the Fall Classic. During his time with the Rays, Todd grew to be a popular figure with Rays fans as a result of his work on the broadcasts and was a two-time Suncoast Emmy award winner.
Blum joined the Astros television broadcast team in 2013 after a successful, 14-year Major League playing career that included two stints with the Astros (2002-03, 2008-10), totaling five seasons. Throughout his career, Blum was known as one of the game’s most versatile players and as a top pinch-hitter. One career highlight was his game-winning, solo HR in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the 2005 World Series while with the White Sox.
As a broadcaster, Blum has brought the witty, colorful personality that he displayed as a player into the booth. From 2013-16, he served primarily as the Astros TV color analyst for road games only before taking on the full-time analyst role alongside Kalas in 2017.