The Houston Astros are one of the two teams from Texas in Major League Baseball (MLB). The team was formed as a result of an expansion in 1962 and was first named the Houston Colt .45s till 1964. They renamed themselves to the Houston Astros and have kept the name since then. The team has represented both the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) in their career so far. He has also represented the NL West Division titles, NL Central Division titles, and AL West Division titles in their career.
The Houston Astros have used Minute Maid Park as their home ground for games since 2000. The team ranked #1 in the AL West Division in the 2023 MLB season with a record of 90-72-0. Framber Valdez became their #1 pitcher with his 200 strikeouts and Martin Maldonado became their #1 batter due to his 15 home runs throughout the season. The team has also built rivalries with the Texas Rangers, the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the years.
Read More:- Houston Astros Stadium
Who is the mascot for the Houston Astros?
Orbit is the official mascot for the Houston Astros as per the MLB official site. Orbit is a lime-green alien and belongs to the Homerunus Spectacularus species. He wears an Astros costume and entertains the fans. He also has antennae on his head extending into baseballs.
Orbit’s History
Orbit made his first appearance at Heflin Elementary School in January 1990 as the Houston Astros' official mascot. Both the naming and design of the mascot were established from suggestions from Houston-area schoolchildren. Also, the design for Orbit was derived from more than 10,000 children's drawings submitted to the Astros, with the final design being a composite of the various drawings submitted.
Orbit was replaced with Junction Jack beginning in the 2000 Season, with the team's move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field. However, after a 12-year absence of Orbit, he returned as the mascot for the Houston Astros starting in the 2013 season in the American League. Since then, Orbit has been the official mascot of the Houston Astros once again and has continued to entertain the audience. Orbit became a Mascot Hall of Famer in 2024 as per abc 13.
Orbit’s Funny Incidents-
Orbit is famous for his mischievous antics. He is often spotted engaging with team members interacting with other mascots and pulling pranks on players. Orbit's playful demeanor shines through during games as he humorously teases both opponents and Astros players by stealing hats, hiding baseballs, or simply goofing around with equipment.
His playful spirit extends beyond game time as he joins in sessions with the team and partakes in fun dance-offs with fans, players, and even umpires during breaks in the game.
Lastly, off the field Orbit's mischievous side continues to shine as he sneaks into the dugout to play pranks on players, coaches, and staff members. From stealing snacks to surprising them with spraying string Orbit never fails to add an element of fun wherever he goes.
FAQ's On Houston Astros Mascot
A. Orbit made its debut as the Astros mascot in 1990 at the Astrodome. It was reintroduced in 2013.
A. No, Orbit does not wear a uniform with a specific number like players. It's known for its green alien costume.
A. Orbit is the green mascot for the Houston Astros in the MLB.
A. Yes, fans can interact with Orbit during games. He often roams around the stadium, interacts with fans, poses for photos, and participates in various fan engagement activities.
A. Yes, Orbit is an anthropomorphic space alien.
