Houston Astros’ broadcaster Jim Deshaies moves to Chicago Cubs - MLB News
It is official, the long time Astros’ broadcaster and former Major League pitcher for the Houston ball club, Jim Deshaies will be taking a position in the WGN commentary box for the Chicago Cubs. He has accepted a four year contract and will take the position
left vacant by Bob Brenly, who took a position with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Houston Astros had earlier hoped that Jim will continue his long association with the club which goes all the way back to his playing days. The Astros were under severe criticism once it was made known that Jim may be moving to the Cubs’ broadcast team earlier.
George Postolos, the President and CEO of the Houston Astros said that the club did everything in its power to retain Deshaies as he is highly valued. He also said that he respected the decision Jim made and wished him well for his future endeavors.
"While we are sorry to see him go, we respect his decision. We appreciate his many years as an Astros player and broadcaster and wish him well," George said.
Deshaies has been long associated with the Astros for a long time. He became a part of the Astros’ broadcast team in 1997 and has been with them ever since. Before that, he started out as a rookie pitcher with the Astros in 1986 and was with them for seven
seasons. He retired from the Major League in 1995.
He has an 84-95 win-loss record in the Majors, posting a 4.14 ERA. During the 1989 season, Deshaies had the best year of his career, where he posted 15-10 winning record with 2.91 ERA and pitching three shut-outs.
On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs have expressed their delight on the current development. Crane Kenney, the president of business operations for the Chicago ball club said that Jim was being welcomed to Chicago by everyone. "We're very fortunate, along
with our fan base, to welcome Jim as the next television analyst of the Chicago Cubs," Crane said.
He also said that Deshaies was appreciative of many aspects of the Chicago Cubs and the club was excited to see him in the commentary booth with Len Kasper. "Jim expressed an incredible appreciation for Cubs baseball, the history of Wrigley Field, the strength
of our fan base, his predecessors in the broadcast booth and opportunity to carry the tradition forward," he said.
Jim Deshaies himself has been appreciative of Chicago both as a player and then as a broadcaster, identifying the windy city as his favourite destination on the road. He has been living in Houston for a while now with his wife and three daughters.
Jim’s departure will leave a void in the Astros’ broadcast team. He served the ball club for a long time both on and off the field and one can hope that he has a great time with the Chicago Cubs in the booth.
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