’Stros Across The Globe Apollo Media

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, 2013 No.1 overall MLB Draft pick for the Houston Astros, pitcher Mark Appel (@markappel26). In a fascinating and revealing conversation, Appel sheds light on what he has been doing over the off-season and detailing how he is approaching setting goals for the 2023 season, after his emotional achievement of finally succeeding in making his Major League Baseball debut in 2022 for the Phillies. Following this, Appel opens up in detail over his troubled years trying to manage the immense expectations of signing with the Astros as a No.1 overall Draft pick, looking at the pressures and depression he faced en route to his lowest points. Afterward, Appel moves on to assess how he was able to make it through these difficult times and rebuild himself both as a man and a baseball player, finding himself emerging on the other side with a positive outlook on life. The discussion concludes with Appel's evaluation of the controversial rule changes introduced by Major League Baseball for the 2023 season and a view on the forthcoming 2023 edition of the World Baseball Classic.

#Astros #Ready2Reign #StrosAcrossTheGlobe

Get over to the Apollo store for the fantastic Astros and Houston-based merch available so you can rep the best team in baseball and H-Town wherever you may be! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, relief pitcher for the Houston Astros, Ryne Stanek (@rstanek_55). An interesting and insightful conversation opens with an assessment of how Stanek views the Astros' 2021 season up to this point, before breaking down the team's experience of playing in front of loud and hostile crowds in all road games played and how they are managing not only to deal with it but using it to bond closer together. Stanek goes on to explain how his experience of being an Astro differs from his perception of the club from the outside before joining and how much of a family unit the Astros clubhouse is. Stanek gives his view on the difficulties facing players on and off the field when traded mid-season and explains the relationship between himself, Kendall Graveman and closer Ryan Pressly as the Astros' remodelled back-end of the bullpen. Stanek also details further on the methodology of pitching coach Brent Strom when assessing new pitching recruits, before giving his views on MLB rule changes introduced in 2020. The discussion also includes a look at Ryne Stanek's road to becoming a major leaguer and the pressures he faced after not signing when drafted the first time around. Additionally, find out the winner of the latest Apollo Media t-shirt competition!

#Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe

Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world!

Get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, pitcher for the Houston Astros, Kent Emanuel (@KentEmanuel). An entertaining and informative discussion begins by taking a closer look at his incredible Astros debut vs the Angels in April 2021, focusing on the emotions he felt at finally reaching the major league team and delivering such a memorable performance. Following this, Emanuel breaks down the differences in preparation and training for starting pitchers versus relievers and what it is like working with Brent Strom and Dusty Baker, before moving on to update on his recovery status after undergoing UCL surgery and what the prognosis is on his return. The topic switches to his drive to push Major League Baseball to follow the lead of other sports and introduce a positive test threshold for the metabolite of the steroid DHCMT in the wake of his suspension in 2020. Emanuel also gives his thoughts on MLB’s sticky substances crackdown for pitchers, plus his views on life for minor league players and how this could be improved. The chat concludes with a look at his baseball influences as a youngster growing up on the road to the majors. Also, find out the winner of the Apollo Media 'Funk Altuve' t-shirt competition!

#Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe

Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world!

Get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, former Houston Astro from 2015-18, 'El Oso Blanco', Evan Gattis (@BulldogBeing). An extraordinary and starkly open conversation begins with Gattis' thoughts on the 2021 Astros, before taking a hugely in-depth look at his years with the club. This discussion begins with Gattis describing what it was like to be part of the vibrant 2015 Houston Astros who came close to advancing to the American League Championship Series, before detailing his frustrations over the 2016 team narrowly missing out on making the Postseason. Following this, Gattis breaks down the experience of being part of the Houston Astros' 2017 World Series Champions, including his unfiltered, inside views on the subsequent sign stealing cheating scandal. Gattis details what it was like being part of this at the time and the wider response to the scandal, plus his outlook on this in 2021. Subsequently, Gattis gives his thoughts on the latest cheating issue in baseball, regarding pitchers illegally using sticky substances to increase spin, before an overview on cheating throughout baseball history - sign-stealing or otherwise. Finally, the discussion takes a frank and strikingly honest look at Evan Gattis' unique and remarkable path to the majors.

#Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe

Check out the Astros Fans UK Online Store! Customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world!

Also get over to the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there including new item drops for June 2021! All Houston. All Original.

Host George Martin (@AstrosFansUK) is joined by special guest, lead play-by-play announcer for the Houston Astros Spanish radio broadcasts on KLAT 1010 AM, Francisco Romero (@FRomeroAstros). A fascinating and engaging discussion begins with Romero's assessment of the Houston Astros' 2021 season so far and stand-out performers, before looking at the makeup of the Spanish broadcast's listenership across the Latin world. The conversation goes on to explore the relationship between the Astros and its many vibrant Hispanic players. Following this, the focus switches to Romero's preparation and gameday routine for Astros broadcasts, assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on interaction between broadcasters and players. Romero details the groundbreaking role he has had in developing Spanish-language broadcasts across multiple Major League Baseball clubs during his career, offering his advice for people looking to follow in his footsteps into the sports media world in the modern age. Afterward, Romero takes a closer look back at the genesis of his own career, the influences which shaped this path for him and how he took the once-in-a-career opportunity to make his way in the sports broadcast arena. The discussion moves on to highlight the eye-opening dearth of full-time Spanish-language MLB broadcasts across the 30 clubs and evaluates the position of Hispanic baseball players in MLB in 2021.

#Astros #ForTheH #StrosAcrossTheGlobe

Introducing the Astros Fans UK Online Store! A new store of customisable Astros merch including t-shirts, bags, caps and more - ALL designed by @AstrosFansUK for Astros fans all over the world! Make sure you check it out.

Make sure as always too you check out the Apollo store for the incredible Astros and Houston-based merch available there! All Houston. All Original.

This week’s guest is the long-time field reporter for the Houston Astros for AT&T SportsNet SW, Julia Morales. An entertaining and insightful conversation takes an in-depth look at her daily routine as field reporter on a typical gameday and the many responsibilities attached to the role. Following this the discussion looks at how the trio of Morales, Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum have formed such a charismatic team on Astros broadcasts in recent years and how much this is appreciated by the fans. Her normal routine is then contrasted with that of the challenges presented by the pandemic-affected 2020 season and, subsequently, the effect of fans returning to ballparks in 2021. The focus then switches to Julia Morales' outlook on how the 2021 Astros are shaping up for this year, before then moving on to take a fascinating look at her career journey to make it to where she has, highlighting her major influences along the way and advice she would offer to women seeking to follow in her footsteps. The discussion proceeds to assess the landscape for women working in baseball and what can be done to continue positive improvement of opportunities for a level playing field. Finally, find out who has won the 'H-Town Vs Everyone' t-shirt from Apollo!