Hooks Baseball Podcast

With the Astros set to defend their American League title, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle provides a primer on the club’s start to the season. Amy Johnson checks in with former Calallen Wildcat Hambleton Oliver (26:16) who is now pitching for the Round Rock Hairy Men of the Texas Collegiate League. JD Davis then discusses the sports creative world with graphic designer Brian Gundell (32:40), who has help build brands for the likes of Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Outfielder Chas McCormick, a 2019 Astros organizational all-star, chats with Dan Reiner about being a member of Houston’s 56-man player pool. Jace Tunnell (20:34), who directs the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, discusses his background and local conservation efforts with HBP correspondent Amy Johnson. JD Davis then wraps up the show by welcoming Kyle Kamerbeek (35:24), former Hooks on-field emcee who is now the promotions coordinator for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.

Astros Summer Camp has started so Michael Coffin is joined by The Athletic's Jake Kaplan to kickoff the show to talk Astros baseball. Then JD Davis is joined by former Hooks broadcaster and current Amarillo Sod Poodle Sam Levitt (25:58) to discuss his journey through baseball.

With the cancellation of the Hooks’ 2020 season and the Astros’ intention to send their reserve players to Corpus Christi in late July, JD Davis and Dan Reiner discuss what’s next for the Ballpark by the Bay. As Astros Director of Player Evaluation, Charles Cook (7:43) takes us behind the scenes of last month’s draft. Singer-songwriter Rich O’Toole (34:36), who recorded the Hooks Baseball anthem, “I’m Hooked,” talks about his love of America's pastime and his new album, New York.

To lead off this week’s show, Astros play-by-plan man Robert Ford chats with Michael Coffin about his late father, the conversations our country is having regarding race and social justice, as well as the challenges broadcasters face due to COVID-19. Dan Reiner checks in with MLB alum and former Hooks infielder Drew Sutton (28:00). The two-time Texas League All-Star managed in the Collegiate Summer Baseball Invitational, held earlier this month in Bryan, Texas. Amy Johnson then meets Corpus Christi native Tina Butler (52:48), the Director of Resource Initiatives for Continuing Education at Del Mar College. Ms. Butler is also an activist with the Corpus Christi chapter of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education. JD Davis then speaks with Hooks Senior Director of Stadium Operations Jeremy Sturgeon (1:07:20) who breaks down how Whataburger Field is preparing to open its gates during this pandemic.

Dan Reiner catches up with former Hooks strength coach Terrence Kennell, who is now serving as the Astros minor league strength and conditioning rehab coordinator. TK speaks about staying in shape during the pandemic, his journey to the Astros organization and his take on how the country is embracing the Black Lives Matter movement. Also, Michael Coffin welcomes Astros pitching coach Brent Strom (15:46) to the show. During this current eight-year run with the club, Strom has helped capture three American League West titles, two AL pennants and a World Series championship in 2017. The conversation covers current Houston prospects, as well as a look back at his 50 years in professional baseball.

To open this week’s proceedings, Hooks broadcaster Gene Kasprzyk, who won three state championships and 22 district titles over a 29-year run as the Sinton High School baseball coach, catches up with Michael Coffin. Dan Reiner welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi head baseball coach and two-time Southwest Conference Player of the Year Scott Malone (26:09). JD Davis wraps up the show with a conversation with Casey Lain (50:54), a community leader and award-winning owner of the popular downtown haunt, House of Rock.

Amy Johnson opens Episode 10 by chatting with Courtney Merritt, the creative services manager for the Corpus Christi Hooks. Legendary Houston Astros broadcaster Bill Brown (9:22) joins the show to talk about Astros great and baseball front office trailblazer Bob Watson. Next up is a conversation with Krystal Houck (33:29), who provides a behind-the-scenes look at how H-E-B is combatting the COVID-19 crisis. Steve Banta and Cassandra Champion (49:58) then update JD Davis on what’s happening at the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.

Dan Reiner leads off this week’s show by catching up with Hooks broadcaster Dominic Cotroneo (0:38). Michael Coffin then welcomes Corpus Christi alum Jimmy VanOstrand (21:20), who is entering his first season as the major league mental performance coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Serita Porter (51:24), area director for Special Olympics Texas, speaks with Amy Johnson about how the organization is engaging the community virtually. You can also hear from Special Olympics athlete and volunteer Bill Overton, who works during the summers at Whataburger Field.

The show opens with a conversation between JD Davis and Claudia Huerta and Meredith Darden from Visit Corpus Christi as they announce the Hooks Jersey auction that is live now at cchooks.com

Dan Reiner catches up with former Hook reliever Alex Sogard (13:54) who shares stories from his Hooks days, growing up with his brother Eric, and making the transition from pro player to college head coach at Wright State University.

The show wraps up as JD is joined by Amy Johnson for a conversation with Astros Ballpark Entertainment Guru Garret Young (40:53). The three reminisce about the old days when they all worked for the Hooks and discuss Garret's time with the Astros, including running a show for game 7 of the World Series.