[2] In additions to home runs (69) and RBIs (388), Ashby also caught three no-hitters for the club, which are each a record in franchise history.

[3] After retiring as a player, he managed in the Texas–Louisiana League and has held several positions in broadcasting, including his most recent job as the lead color commentator for the Astros until 2016.

Ashby grew up a die-hard Los Angeles Dodgers fan in San Pedro, California,[4] and was in attendance at Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965.

The all-switch-hitting infield of the 1965 and 1966 Dodgers, consisting of Wes Parker, Maury Wills, Junior Gilliam and Jim Lefebvre, inspired Ashby, a natural lefty, to train himself to hit from both sides of the plate.

[5] Ashby did not consider becoming a catcher until his senior year of high school when, inspired by watching Johnny Bench, he decided that he had a good enough arm to attempt the conversion.

[6] Born in Long Beach, California,[7][8] Ashby attended San Pedro High School in Los Angeles where he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 1976, Ashby shared playing time with Ray Fosse, and in 89 games, improved his batting average to .239 with 4 HR and 32 RBI.

On November 5, 1976, the Indians traded Ashby and Doug Howard to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Al Fitzmorris.

Ashby saw the majority of time catching the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1977 season, as he appeared in 124 games, batting .210 with 2 HR and 29 RBI.

On November 27, the Blue Jays traded Ashby to the Houston Astros for J.J. Cannon, Pedro Hernandez, and Mark Lemongello.

In 2007, sports columnist Bob Elliott referred to it as the worst trade in Toronto Blue Jays history.

In the 1986 National League Championship Series, Ashby hit .130 with 1 HR and 2 RBI as the Astros lost to the New York Mets in six games.

[15] Following his playing career, he moved into broadcasting as he telecast HSE Southwestern Conference Baseball in 1990 and served as sports director and anchor for KHTV Channel 39 Houston from 1990 to 1992.

Following the news of Bill Brown's decision to retire after the 2016 season, the Astros decided to part ways with Ashby.