Geoff Blum joins Astros announcing crew

The Astros have added another former player to their TV broadcasts. Today the club announced the addition of Geoff Blum to an on-air team that includes veteran play-by-play man Bill Brown and the recently hired Alan Ashby. Blum, 39, played 14 years in the majors including two separate stints with the Astros.

Geoff Blum

Houston fans will remember Blum as one of the heroes of the 2005 World Series for the White Sox. Blum’s 14th inning home run in Game 3 propelled Chicago to victory over the Astros in the longest World Series game ever. Blum was later immortalized in bronze outside U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. He is one of five players featured in a monument that depicts the World Series championship celebration.

Blum was a consistent and versatile performer during both his stints with the Astros. Geoff left Houston after the 2010 season, signing a two-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Slowed by injuries, his career with the D-backs never got on track and Blum’s playing days came to an end after he was released early in the 2012 season.

“Blummer” should make a smooth transition into television. He was always entertaining when featured in interviews and other on-air pieces as a player. His type-A personality and quick wit should help fill the void left by the departure of Jim Deshaies.

Brian McTaggart’s article announcing the hiring of Blum also sheds some light on the Astros plans for Bill Brown. The team had been oddly quiet on the subject of Brown, causing speculation that his contract might not be renewed. Brown was recently announced as part of the team’s CARE-avan contingent, (he will help represent the club in San Antonio on January 24th) putting some of the rumors to rest.

Brown will apparently be working a partial schedule, taking approximately 60 games off from his play-by-play duties. Blum will fill in on those sixty dates, providing color commentary while Ashby slides into the play-by-play role. Blum could also be a part of pre-game and post-game activities for CSN Houston. An official introduction by the team is expected some time next week. The TV crew is now set but the Astros are still looking to fill an empty radio booth.

Welcome Geoff! We hope to be able to see you work sometime soon.