Hooks Baseball Podcast

Michael Coffin and JD Davis open the show by giving an overview of MiLB’s Community First campaign, a national initiative benefiting Feeding America which will direct funds to the Coastal Bend Food Bank while honoring local heroes. Hooks General Manager and West Point graduate Wes Weigle (3:53) speaks about his background and how Whataburger Field can serve as a rally point for the community during this crisis. Amy Johnson welcomes King High School Principal Elizabeth Perez (29:11) who offers details on distance learning, as well how her staff is stepping up to the plate to support students and parents under quarantine. Calallen High School product and Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Wyatt Mathisen (37:29) wraps up the show with a breakdown of his breakout 2019 season and a recounting of his storied high school career with the Wildcats.

Our program is led off by a conversation with Hooks staffers Amy Johnson and Maggie Freeborn (0:33). AT&T SportsNet Southwest reporter and anchor Julia Morales (7:25) checks in with Dan Reiner to discuss her tenure covering the Astros, as well as her beginnings with the Round Rock Express. Hooks infielder and former Big 10 Player of the Year Jake Adams (47:52) wraps up the show by breaking down his 2019 season and reflecting on the path which took him from Brandon, South Dakota to the Houston Astros. 

This week, Hooks head groundskeeper Quince Landry (0:44) helps Dan Reiner with his cabin fever. Also, original Hooks play-by-play announcer turned Texas Rangers radio broadcaster Matt Hicks (10:32) pays a visit. Michael Coffin checks in with the big club as Houston Astros Assistant General Manager Pete Putila (35:15) joins the show. Amy Johnson talks Buc Days with Buccaneer Commission President & CEO Johnny Philipello (49:46), and JD Davis catches up with Marjorie Boudreaux (1:00:10), Vice President of Marketing & Fund Development at Goodwill Industries of South Texas.

With the 2020 look of the Corpus Christi Raspas revealed, JD Davis and Rudy Soliz (0:43) take you behind the scenes on the development of theme weekends and club merchandise. Astros reliever and former Hooks pitcher of the year Chris Devenski (13:57) checks in from Houston as he awaits the start of the season. DJ/producer El Dusty (33:48) chats about the creative process whilst socially distancing. Corpus Christi chef Kris Busk (44:46) updates Amy Johnson on his restaurant, Shoreline Sandwich Company, as well as offer insight on the current plight of small businesses. And Jeff Dubrof (55:43) from KRIS 6 News provides the finale as he and Dan Reiner discuss COVID-19 ramifications on Coastal Bend sports.

On what was slated as Opening Week for the 2020 MiLB season, JD Davis and Michael Coffin speak about how the Hooks are connecting with fans via social media (2:45). JD and Mike also introduce you to the Hooks’ new assistant general manager, Brady Ballard (7:30). Astros infielder Abraham Toro (20:21) talks about his current preparations and some of the highlights from his standout 2019 campaign. Amy Johnson has a conversation with Amy Montez-Frye (33:37), the first-year “Voice of Whataburger Field.” And Dan Reiner welcomes Joey Mellows, the Baseball Brit on Twitter (47:42), who provides listeners with an international perspective on Minor League Baseball in the United States as well as baseball’s standing abroad.

With Whataburger Field closed for nearly three weeks, JD Davis and Hooks sales manager Kaley O'Brien (0:50) talk about ways members and fans can stay connected. Travis Green from KIII-TV 3 (8:32) and Dan Reiner discuss dramatic changes in the local sports landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Astros team historian Mike Acosta (21:20) reflects on the legacy of franchise icon Jimmy Wynn, who passed away last week at the age of 78. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Dr. Michelle Hollenbaugh (47:00) offers advice for families as they acclimate to social distancing. And JD wraps up the episode with a community spotlight as Ashley Ramirez (52:48) of the Coastal Bend Blood Center joins the show. 

In our first installment of the Hooks Baseball Podcast, radio broadcaster Michael Coffin and the club's marketing director, JD Davis (1:29), chat about social distancing and updates on the 2020 season. First-year Hooks manager Gregorio Petit (13:40), who recently wrapped up a 17-year playing career - including parts of six big-league seasons, checks in from his home in Manvel, Texas. Brian McTaggart (30:22)from MLB.com updates listeners on the Houston Astros and what the lead-up to the Major League season might look like. Dr. Leslie Mills, (48:03) director of career services for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, offers advice for those who are out of work due to COVID-19. And president of the Oneta Company, Julia Cook Kriegel (55:34), talks about her crew’s efforts to keep Corpus Christi stocked with bottled water during this crisis.