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Astros, Athletics make history with female announcers

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Andrew Meyers | Last updated 5/14/24

Anytime there is a “first” of something in baseball it’s worth a headline. Monday’s regular season contest between the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics gave baseball fans a first as both franchises had a female voice doing play-by-play on their television broadcasts.

Julia Morales and Jenny Cavnar led the calls for the Astros and Athletics on Monday, making it the first MLB regular season game with a woman on play-by-play for both teams, according to the Astros.

Cavnar took over as the main play-by-play voice for the Athletics in February, becoming the first woman to be the primary play-by-play broadcaster for an MLB team. Julia Morales has been a field reporter for the Astros for over a decade and had prior experience in the booth as a color commentator.

The Astros discussed the possibility of Morales taking over the play-by-play duties for a game over several years and it finally came to fruition on Monday. It was only fitting that the Athletics were in town, giving Morales and Cavnar a chance to make history.

Cavnar and Morales are friends and shared a special moment with their daughters before the game, a bonus Mother’s Day gift for both.

“I just know that as a friend, it’s really cool that we get to be doing this game at the same time together,” Cavnar said, per Alyson Footer of MLB.com. “I know her so well. I know her work ethic. I know her baseball knowledge. I know how well she knows this team. I can’t wait to see her in a role where she can shine. To be here on the night she’s doing it is so special for me.”

Cavnar, Morales setting example for women in baseball

Oakland Athletics play-by-play announcer Jenny Cavnar stands on the field before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Given the turmoil surrounding the franchise and its looming move out of Oakland, it was ambitious for the A’s to bring Jenny Cavnar in this season. Though she is more than qualified, having a woman in the booth will always draw the opinions of baseball fans.

Cavnar worked with the Colorado Rockies for more than a decade, serving as a pregame and postgame host. She filled in as play-play-play announcer for two games in 2018, becoming the first woman since 1993 to do so.

Julia Morales has thrived in her role with the Astros and built a noticeable rapport with the rest of Houston’s broadcasting team. She likely earned herself a few more games in the booth after Monday.

Every year it seems like women are pushing boundaries and creating wonderful stories to follow in the MLB. Jenny Cavnar and Julia Morales are part of that crop of women and continue to be shining examples for girls aspiring to work in sports.

Astros getting on track?

Though the story in the booth took center stage for Monday’s game, another Astros win is perhaps spelling the beginning of a much-needed turnaround. Houston scored nine runs for the second consecutive game, taking the series opener over Oakland 9-2.

After losing four in a row, the Astros have won four of their last five games and climbed out of the AL West basement. A 16-25 record is nowhere near where Houston thought it’d be in mid-May, but the next two weeks present an opportunity for the Astros to enter the playoff fray.

Nine of Houston’s next 12 games are against the Athletics and Los Angeles Angels, two teams who have failed to finish above third in the AL West standings in the last three seasons. Although Oakland owns a better record than Houston, the Astros are the favorites to win the series and it will likely remain that way when the two teams meet in Oakland next weekend.

Astros pitching has been the main reason for their downfall this year with injuries and inconsistencies decimating the rotation. Houston’s arms have potentially turned a corner as the Astros’ pitching staff held opponents to three or fewer runs in their last four wins.

There’s too much talent on the roster for the Astros to wilt away and fall out of contention completely this season. Maybe we’re approaching the end of Houston’s dynasty, but there’s a better chance than not the Astros get back into the mix at some point this season.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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