Catcher Alan Ashby was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays after the 1978 season for pitcher Mark Lemongello, reserve outfielder Joe Cannon and a prospect. It was hoped that Ashby could stabilize a position that had experienced considerable turnover since the departure of Johnny Edwards in 1974.

Although neither a great hitter nor a Gold Glover, Ashby played well enough behind the plate and at the plate to last 11 seasons with the club. His best offensive season was a 14-homer campaign in 1987, and Ashby eventually wound up catching more games than any other player in franchise history. In a cost-cutting move designed to make room for young catcher Craig Biggio, Ashby was released by the team in 1989 after vetoing an earlier trade to Pittsburgh. He served as a radio announcer for the Astros from 1997 to 2005 and now handles radio duties for the Toronto Blue Jays.