Incredibly disappointed to have to miss the start of the 2020 season! Here’s why: pic.twitter.com/jSt9XDKsm6— Todd Kalas (@RealToddKalas) July 21, 2020
Todd Kalas, Houston Astros TV play-by-play broadcaster, posted on Twitter he will be missing he start of the 2020 season due to a positive COVID-19 test result.
Fortunately for Kalas, he reports he is feeling fine, but is asymptomatic.
Here is what he said on Twitter:
"With the season approaching, I decided at the end of last week to go ahead and take a COVID-19 test, even though I feel 100% perfectly fine and I have no symptoms.
Unfortunately, and to my shock, it returned positive. I am asymptomatic.
I couldn't believe it, but now I have to self quarantine and follow MLB's health and safety protocol, which will cause me to miss the beginning of the Astros season.
It crushes me not to be there with Blummer, Julie and the rest of our AT&T crew, but that is what I have to do for now.
And for all those people out there, continue to wear your mask to continue to social distance, continue to be as safe as possible.
And I know while I don't have symptoms, a lot of people are suffering with COVID-19, much worse than me. And I send out my heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
It crushes me not to be there for you on opening day. I cannot wait to get back in the booth. Until then, stay safe and go Astros."
Houston sportscaster Kevin Eschenfelder will serve as the club’s play-by-play broadcaster in Kalas's absence alongside Geoff Blum. Julia Morales will be the Astros sideline reporter.
A native Houstonian, Kalas is the son of Hall of Famer and former Astros broadcaster Harry Kalas (Astros broadcaster from 1965 to 1970). Todd joined the Houston Astros TV broadcast as the play-by-play announcer for the 2017 season.
With 25 seasons as a professional baseaball broadcaster, Kalas spent 19 seasons from 1998 to 2016 with the Tampa Bay Rays broadcast team. He also worked for New York Mets radio from 1992 to 1993 and the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast teams from 1994 to 1996.
(Thanks Susan Farb Morris!)
