Greg Lucas (R) with current commenting partner Steve Sparks on the last night of the Astros home schedule, 9/26/12, as pre and post game analysts. Lucas has been the multiple seasons media partner to many others, including Kevin Eschenfelder, Art Howe, Jimmy Wynn, and Allison Footer, among others, in addition to his on the field and spot work as a live broadcaster of Astros games on both television and radio. The absence of Greg Lucas from the new network plan that starts in 2013 shall be felt by Astros fans everywhere.
“Greg Lucas was the first play-by-play voice heard on the network now known as FOX Sports Houston when it launched as Home Sports Entertainment with a Boston Celtics-Houston Rockets NBA game. Since then he has served as lead announcer for the Texas Rangers; jack of all trades for the Houston Astros, including play-by-play, analysis, field level commentator, pre-post game host and contributor on radio and TV.” – Introduction to the Greg Lucas FOX Blogsite that will soon be disbanding with his departure from the network.
Last night, I saw the word that Greg Lucas left on Facebook for the first time. It simply read: “After the Astros season ends I will no longer be a full-time employee of Fox Sports Houston/SW so I will be shutting down THIS Facebook page. I do have another personal site that will continue. (This one is accessed thru a Fox internet address that will become defunct.) Some of you are on both, but not everyone so we may lose touch for a while till that can be rectified.”
We wish Greg well in whatever direction and goals he now chooses to pursue, but we shall also deeply regret the loss of his ongoing presence and running commentary on the Astros’ latest fortunes and misfortunes too.
Greg, please feel free to post a link here for your fans on the best future ways for them to stay in touch with you. You brought so much to the table of a full season that will now be even more sorely missed by your readers as the Astros move to the American League in 2013. People may want to know how they can best stay in touch with your take on things as the arguably biggest change in Houston baseball history takes place.
Yeah, I know, 1962 was big. Houston was moving from the minor leagues to the big leagues, but 2013 is even bigger in this sense: By moving to the American League, Houston surrenders a 90-year “family” relationship with the National League that began with the purchase of the minor league Houston Buffs by the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1920s, and continuing all the way through Houston’s last home game the other night against whom? The St. Louis Cardinals, of course.
I wold also like to invite Greg Lucas for his own comments on where he thinks the American League move stands as a fact of importance in Houston baseball history – either here – or on his new blog site. I also hope the rest of you will contribute your own comments on how important you think this AL move is to our history, whether you like it or not.
Also, please take the time to express to Greg your own take on his departure from the full-time broadcast team in 2013. I, for one, am going to miss him a great deal.
Tags: Biggest Moment in Houston Baseball History, Greg Lucas Career Update
The Pecan Park Eagle 
September 29, 2012 at 1:17 pm |
Fox has lost a top notch broadcaster. All class but lots of fun. I live in the Midwest. I always tuned into the satellite early so we could watch the Silver Fox. Good luck Greg! We love you and we will miss you. Houston has no business moving to the American League. However Jim Crane was a victim of Selig and a threat of never being approved if he did not agree to move. Darn shame the Astros loose Fox for Comcast.
September 29, 2012 at 2:18 pm |
I’m no Fox lover, but I sure do like Greg Lucas and I am very sorry to read this news. I hold Greg in the highest esteem. Wherever he lands, those around him will be very fortunate.
September 29, 2012 at 2:57 pm |
Sam Says:
Greg will be missed. A real professional that was a major part of the best broadcasting team on the air. He was the perfect third man to compliment Bill and JD. The move to the American league is just another sad commentary where economics trumps culture and tradition. I will not be staying up until past mid-night to watch a version of baseball that features instant gratification in lieu of strategy and patience.
September 29, 2012 at 3:22 pm |
Spoke to someone yesterday at Comcast-Houston and he said they have not approached any other Fox employees besides Eschenfelder until their contracts with Fox expire. It is possible that some of those saying farewell to Fox-Houston are switching to Comcast but cannot make it public until their duties with Fox are done.
I hope Brownie, JD and Greg will still be doing Astros broadcasts next year but I honestly have no inside info pro or con about that.
September 29, 2012 at 3:42 pm |
Bill, It is true I am leaving Fox, but so is everyone minus one or two in Houston. FSHouston is being re-absorbed by Fox Sports Southwest which will continue to carry Big12, CUSA, Texas High School and other regional sports, plus an added number of Texas Ranger baseball and Stars hockey games. I hope to continue to work with the Astros, but until the season is over–and possibly for a few days or weeks after that– things may seem to be in limbo for the current telecasters. Right now the new carrier CSN-Houston is most concerned with getting their first week on the air smoothly on Monday. That need is why a number of FSHouston folks resigned early. They were needed at the new operation NOW and their positions with Fox were going to be eliminated soon anyway. Astros baseball continues thru October 3 on FSH.
September 29, 2012 at 6:38 pm |
Greg Lucas’ insights have been one of the bright spots in Astros telecasts over the years, and I hope that he will continue next year with CSNH
October 4, 2012 at 1:04 pm |
Although I certainly did not have extensive conversations with Greg at SABR, I had a few short ones and found him to be the same pleasant andf engaging fellow he comes across as on his broadcasts. Of course I’ve watched him for years and respect his insight and good humor. Greg, best of luck…though I’m sure you will be visible again shortly somewhere. Whoever gets you gets a good egg….