Jim Crane on Astros Radio Network 2-24-24

Jim Crane on Astros Radio Network 2-24-24

Episode Transcript

(00:11):
Joan a Done, a new pitcherfor the National's right hander, comes in
with two out and no one on. In the top of the second Astros
with a two to zero lead.Robert Ford, Steve Sparks please to be
joined by Astros owner and chairman JimCrane. Thanks for stopping by. Always
good to see you. It's agreat night and I'm glad to be here.
So we had a ceremony before thegame started, the first spring training

(00:34):
game for the Astros and Nationals,who of course share this beautiful complex.
This chas McCormick stands in. Thispark is now known as Cacti Park of
the Palm Beaches. First pitch,Missus High and Travis Scott, who's behind
the Cacti Heart seltzer Brand was herethroughout the first pitch a little low,
but got it to the plate.That's what matters most. But I know
you're excited about this partnership as theone O sales outside. Yeah. No,

(00:56):
we haven't had a title sponsor herethe ballpark since we opened it,
so he stepped in. He likesto do a lot of community work.
He does a lot with us withhis softball charity deal and the College classic
that he puts on and he's agreat guy. He really likes to give
back and we're glad to have him. And you know, he's a big

(01:17):
star. Jim, you hired anew manager this offseason, Joe A spot
a not new to us. We'veknown Joe for a long time now.
But what was that decision like foryou when you brought him in. He's
really excited about today, by theway. Yeah. I mean, Joe's
a great guy. He had beenoverlooked a few times and he was really
looking for an opportunity and he earnedit. I mean, and it wasn't

(01:40):
a hard decision. We had alot of support from the players, and
uh, it was it was easyto give him, give him the job,
and then you know, he filledit in with some guys that have
been with us a long time andthey deserves a shot. So I'm really
happy for him. I know,dial great job, and uh, he's
a smart guy and the players respecthim. So we're very comfortable and we're

(02:00):
looking forward to a great season withhim. Pitch was low to Chas McCormick
on three and one, so hedraws the walk at first base with two
out from Marisio Dubon RBI single anda run scored in the first inning.
As we talked with Jim Crane,and you know, it's always got to
be rewarding, Jim, whenever you'reable to promote someone from within, like
you say, who has earned anopportunity as Dubon takes one inside. Well,

(02:22):
it was similar with Dana. He'dbeen in the business a long time,
you know, worked hard and asmart guy, and you know,
those decisions you really got to measure. But you know, I like giving
guys a chance. I think RobertI over ruled three guys before we pick
picked you. So I was theone that gave you the I was wondering
how he got this job. Wasone of the three guys. Steve Sparks

(02:44):
was Steve was in the rearview mirror, but you were in the run.
You were sitting in the front seat. Well, I appreciate that as a
fitch. Missus downstairs and Dubon twoballs and no strikes. And you mentioned
Dana Brown Astros general manager. Nowhis second year and he probably has to
feel like you know, because hecame in, you know, kind of
late in the offseason. But nowhe's had like a full year under his
belt. Probably feels a little morecomfortable now and imagine, yeah, he

(03:06):
turned into a great player. Youknow, I think a lot of these
guys in the minor leagues, andyou and Steve you would know better than
I, they don't have a reallyget a chance to play consistently once they
get to the big leagues. Andthen you know, when L two they
went down, he got a reallygood look and played well and defended well,
hit well, and a big surprise, and I think it gave him
a lot of confidence. And Ithink he's going to turn into a great

(03:27):
player, which is a strike todo Bond and it's three and one.
One of the things you look ata team like you have right here is
if they win, they're a winningteam. They're going to be contenders again.
But the coaching staff melts so welltogether when there's not a lot of
disruption, don't they? Yeah,you know, I mean the chemistry is
something you really want in the lockerroom. You've had it for a long

(03:49):
time, and you know, theguys really work hard, and when the
new guys come in, you knowthe expectations are high. Hey, this
is how we work, this's howwe do things. And the big guys
like Altwove and Bergman, they leadby example. They don't talk a lot,
but they work hard. It's athree to two count to Dubon.
Runner will be going from first McCormickto pitch and Duban lines it fouling out

(04:11):
of playoff to the right. We'lldo it again at three and two and
two outs. In your position asan owner gym, how can you help
foster that sort of environment where youknow there's that leadership and things like that.
Well, you know, I tryto get to know the guys.
I don't get too much in themiddle of their business, but you know,
I'll take them and their wives outto dinner and get a little chemistry
and get to know people and youknow, say hi to them and pat

(04:34):
them on the back. And Ithink it helps that they know we got
their back, and you know,that's all we gotta do. Dubon rifles
won in the center a base hithit second of the game. McCormick goes
to third. Marisio Dubon is aboard and the Astros have runners at the
corners with two outs against Joan Adone, who comes in for Patrick Corbin and
now it's Victor Carattini's turn who ishit by a pitch? And Keratini is

(04:56):
a guy And we were talking aboutthis earlier, Jim. That was a
real priority for the Astros going intothe offseason. You knew what Marchene Maldonada
was going to be a free agent. You knew Janner Diaz was ready to
step in to be the number onecatcher and to get a quality backup like
you got with Kartini. Yeah,Keratini looks good, he's in shape,
and you know he's switch hitter too, so he'll get a lot of a

(05:17):
lot of opportunities to bat late inthe games. And it's been known to
you know, he hits well andputs about on the ball. It seemed
like that we knew that that movemight have been made, maybe not the
specific player, but I think ittook a lot of people by surprise when
when you guys signed Josh Hater.How did that come about? Well,
we were we were looking. Weknew we needed another arm in a bullpen

(05:39):
and there wasn't a lot available.Certainly, Narus did a great job for
us last year. We were lookingat that and we're just sitting around the
room and I'd say, well,who's available that we can upgrade, and
they said, well, Hater.You know, Hayter was a little expensive,
but we were able to stretch itinto the budget, and you know,
he's probably the best in the businessright now. So that added a
dimension that I think will make ourbullpen very strong, and we can mix

(06:03):
and I'm sure Joe will mix andmatch them against left handers and do it
most effectively in the eighth and ninthor the seventh or whatever. So three
big, big guys at the back, and you know, hopefully the other
guys will pitch well, you know, in the earlier in its them necessary.
So we're really comfortable that that wasone of our better moves and hope
it turns out to be a goodone to two to one counts of Caroteni

(06:25):
runners at the corner, two outsfor the Astros to lead to nothing time
of the second pitch on the wayby a don't swing and a miss at
a change up and it's two andtwo. Yeah, you mean, I
think that obviously took a lot ofpeople by surprise, obviously when the Astro
sign Hater, But you've shown inyour tenure as an owner that you're not
afraid to go above and beyond financiallyif necessary, if you feel like that's
what this team needs to maybe getthem over the hump. Yeah, we've

(06:47):
done a numerous times at the turnwith with Greenke and Berlander and Cole,
and you know, we're not afraidto make a bold move when the situation
warrants it. And you know we'rein position. This team is really good.
We're in position to win some moregames. Line drive by Kartini.
It bounces all the way to thewall and left center McCormick scores around third,

(07:09):
scoring easily is dubon. It's atwo run double for Victor Carrottini,
and the Astros late is fourd tonothing. So joan Adone has come on
Phase three batters with two out andall three of them have reached. Had
a great look at Swaying to pitchout away from him. A hard line
drive into the gap for Carotini,who already showing dividends for the Astros both

(07:32):
times at the plate, both timeson base. And now it's John Singleton
with Kartini at second. Singleton poppedout to second base his first time up.
We're talking with Astros owner and chairmanJim Crane. As Singleton awaits the
first pitch from a dome, hereit comes and that misses outside and you
know, talking about moves this offseason, of course, jose l two va

(07:55):
signing him to an extension. Iknow that was a priority to try and
keep Jose to be in an Astro'suniform for his entire career. Well,
he's been one alcove player for usfor a long time. He's the only
guy that's been on the team sinceI bought the team. So he's I
feel like he's one of my kids. So you know, you can't get
rid of your kid. So wewere able to get him a number.

(08:16):
He was a compliment and I thinkhe's very happy, and you know,
he's a hard worker. He's inreally great shape. I think you have
a great season. Got a littlero you know, bumped up last year
with the hand and then a coupleother things. But you can expect a
big year out of him. It'sa one to one counts as Singleton,
but doan working from the first baseside of the rubber, look at second

(08:37):
Now the pitch and that's filed backto the screen and it's a ball of
two strikes. Talking about Jose.One thing about Jose. I've noticed both
times that he signed an extension,he comes back even better because I think
he's the type of player who wantsto prove the owner that it was a
wise investment. By the way catcher'sinterference, so Singleton is going to reach
first base. That'll be an everon the catcher Ruiz, But yeah,

(09:01):
go ahead, you yeah, No. I mean Jose is a hard worker.
I mean, he's in great shapethis year. I think he's got
something to prove. He wants toget get his numbers up a little bit,
and you know, he's he's ourcatalyst. I mean, he gets
things going. You know, yousaw what he could do last year and
big you know, he thrives inthe big situations. And so he's really

(09:22):
one of the keys to our teamand really the heart of the team.
And we're really happy to have him. And hopefully, you know, with
him working hard and have some moregood years, he'll be in the Hall
of Fame. And that's what wehope. Pitch missus outside the Jake myershod
and Rbi singleed this first time.Keratini had second Singleton at first four nothing
Astros top of the second inning,don't delivers a one to zero and that

(09:43):
missus low two balls and no strikes. What are you most looking forward to
in twenty twenty four with the Astros, Well, you know, we've got
a team we think can get back. You know, our goal is to
win the division and then go fromthere. You know, we'd certainly like
to tie the record with eight alcshis appearances in a row. That's that's
not been done in the American League. I think the Braves did it once

(10:05):
in the National, but we reallylike to win another one. You know,
you have to have a lot.You know, We've been there a
few times, one a few,lost a few, but they're hard to
win. As you know, youknow, things happened. I mean,
we thought last year when we gotup on the Rangers three to two,
we were going to cruise into theWorld Series, and it just didn't happen.
So what I've learned is it's hardto do and you just got to

(10:26):
keep knocking on the door and pushingthe three to zero misses outside. It's
the four pitch walks of Myers andthe Astros have loaded the bases five straight,
have reached against Juana Dome. I'mexcited to watch Jinerdas and to see
how he handles the pitching staff,you know, all the things that are
involved with a casher to begin with, how easy or how tough that might

(10:48):
be. But having a guy likeVictor Kartini to help him along the way,
I'm excited to see what he cando for this offense. Yeah,
I think it's a good combination.And Victor has some experience, so you'll
certainly pass that all on. Andyou know, I think the kids ready.
I mean, he you know,we didn't play much last year,
but he can hit the ball outof the Paul Park. That spot is
really going to be a plus forus this year with those two guys.

(11:11):
Jim Hickey, pitching coach for theNationals, just finished paying a visit to
Joan Adone as he heads back tothe dugout. You know, you think
about the Nationals and they beat theAstros in the World Series in twenty nineteen,
but since then they have struggled.Whereas you look at the Astros,
they've been able to sustain success.And obviously the farm system is a big
part of that. First pitch toJilkes, Missus Lowe. Yeah, we've
worked on it. You know.We we've tried a lot of guys out

(11:35):
of the farm system to maintain youknow, the big league prowess. But
you know, we keep finding guysin there, can you know, pitch
in and you know Myers is oneof them. We've got a few guys
up. Child six said, heartthrough the left side. That's a base
hit. That'll score Caratini around thirdand coming home to score another run is
Singleton. He'll score without a throwdown to third, goes Meyer's a two

(11:56):
run single for Corey Jolts and it'ssix nothing Astros. Sorry to interrupt you
there, Jim, No, No, that runs are good. That's a
good time to interrupt. But yeah, I wish you would have done that
in Game six against the Rangers.Exactly right. And you know, Corey
Jokes product of the Astros farm system, and certainly we saw some good things

(12:18):
from him. But that's so importantif you're going to sustain success. Yeah,
you've got to keep developing guys.I think Dana's created a system,
you know, when he came into move these guys quickly that there's no
reason for him to take three orfour years to get to Treble A.
He's gonna take the quality guys andmove them fast and try to get him
up to the big leagues. DavidHensley takes one inside. He's the ninth

(12:39):
man the bat in the inning,seventh in a row against Joan adon Is.
The first six against the don havereached. Astros up six to nothing
in the top of the second,four runs home in this inning the one
to zero and that misses inside.Two balls and no strikes. We're looking
forward to the series against the Rock. He's in Mexico City. Are you

(13:01):
going to be on that trip?Yeah, I'm going to try to make
it down. I think it'll bea lot of fun. I think,
you know, you'll certainly sell abuilding out a lot of Astros fans down
to Mexico, and so that's agood deal for us to kind of increase
our brand in Mexico. When wewent to Monterey a couple of years ago,
Robert and I even talked about thisis it just felt so good and
so warm because we understood how mucheverybody appreciated those teams coming down there and

(13:24):
getting to see those players up upclose. No, it's great for Mexico.
They've got, they've got, They'restarting to play a lot more baseball
down there. I know a coupleof guys from Mexico that owned teams and
are interested in proving the teams.And you're seeing some more players come out
of there because they're playing more baseballdown there. To to counts of David
Hensley runners at the corners, twoout, six nothing, Astros top of

(13:46):
the second, A don't throw overto first, jokes back with a dive.
But yeah, you think about joseyOrkidi of the Astros, obviously from
Mexico. I'm sure he's excited toget an opportunity, perhaps to pitch in
front of home fans. We'll beinteresting though with that. You know,
it's like seventy five hundred feet abovesea level, so that that could be
entertaining in both good and bad waystoo too. Missus inside and it's a

(14:09):
full count out of Hensley, ballwill be flying. How often do you
guys think about the jolt that thispitching staff is going to get in the
middle of the season, with LuisGarcia and Lance McCullers coming off the il
hopefully well, it would certainly inour back of our mind when we were
making these moves. With more depthwith the starters, you could take a
couple of those guys and make themlong relievers and fill the bullpen in.

(14:33):
You know, we'll technically have eightstarters if they all all come back and
they're all healthy at that time.Nobody has eight starters. I don't think
right. David Hensley swings through abreaking ball, strikes out to retire the
side. But the Astro score fourtimes to run hits by Karattini a double
and Jokes a single. Jim Crane, Astros owner and chairman, thank you
so much for joining. Thanks guys. You guys do a great job and

(14:54):
we appreciate you handling our fans andbaseball's back. I'm happy to be here.
Thank you so much. Six