 In 1950, Hofheinz hired Passe to broadcast for the Houston Buffaloes, a minor league baseball team.When Houston received the expansion Colt .45s in 1962, Passe was one of the major league team's original broadcasters, joined by Gene Elston and Al Helfer.While Helfer only spent one season in Houston, Passe was partnered with Gene Elston from 1962 to 1976.