Here’s some more Orbit stuff, if you’re interested: From his humble beginnings, Orbit has become a star in the making here’s hoping he continues to play Jenga with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols for a few more years. In addition, he doesn’t have the traction and history of Bernie Brewer, Pirate Parrot, or the Swinging Friar, so it can be hard to remember sometimes who he is.Īssuming Orbit continues as the Astros mascot into the next decade of baseball, I believe that he will begin to surpass other mascots not named the Phillie Phanatic, because of his excellent pranks and pre-game antics. Orbit served admirably from 1990 to 1999, but after 12 years away from the team, people are bound to forget his pranks and fun-loving ways. If he does such great things, why doesn’t Orbit get the respect he deserves? Because he’s only been around for 7 seasons. His mask actually fits him, unlike the Phanatic:.Lest we forget the legendary prank war between Chris Archer and Orbit?.He doesn’t have the vulgar gestures of Mr.His favorite movies are E.T., Men in Black, and Star Wars.

He doesn’t have the lawsuits and baggage attached like Sluggerrr.

Redlegs) and cringe-worthy (Wally, the Green Monster) designs.

He successfully avoids looking absolutely terrifying (Mr.

Why do I love Orbit, and why should you love him too? After the 2012 season, coinciding with the Astros’ move to the American League, the Astros made the right decision to drop Junction Jack and move back to Orbit as their main mascot.Īnd thus, the reign of awesomeness began in 2013. Named for his position as the Official Railroad Engineer of the Houston Astros, Jack helped drive the train that chugs above the left field bleachers after a home run. Why does he look like he is shocked by everything?Įither way, I think we can all agree, as baseball fans, to try to forget Junction Jack. The Astros settled on the abomination known as Junction Jack. With Orbit out of the picture for the 2000 season, the Astros needed a new mascot for their move to Enron (That one hurts!) Field. It is said that Orbit was admitted into a psychiatric hospital for five years, only to see the Astros lose in the 2005 World Series. During the final game of the 1999 season, Orbit supposedly was so angry with owner Drayton McLane and his plans to move away from the Astrodome that he zapped General Admission with a ray gun.

It was said that Orbit had begun to unravel mentally after the Astros introduced a second mascot, named General Admission, who was taking attention away from Orbit. In fact, he was once ejected by umpire Gary Darling during a game for arguing balls and strikes. Orbit had many memorable moments during his first run as an official mascot. He made his first appearance as the official Astros mascot in 1990 at a local elementary school. The final design was actually a composite of some of the drawings submitted by children, but the team settled on the team’s current mascot, Orbit. In fact, children submitted nearly 10,000 drawings to the Astros for their mascot process. Houston-area schoolchildren were asked to submit suggestions and designs for the new mascot. Now, Tuffy looked fine and all – but does he really look like he would fit for a team named the Houston Astros? Not only did the Astros want a new, team-fitting mascot, but they also wanted one that was friendly and could serve as an “important piece in its community outreach programs.” So, the team outsourced its mascot decision to the people who would benefit most from the new community outreach programs – kids.

Orbit astros