Orbit (mascot)
Encyclopedia
Orbit was the name given to Major League Baseball
's Houston Astros
former mascot, a lime-green outer-space creature wearing an Astros jersey with antennae extending into baseballs. Orbit was the teams official mascot from the 1990
through the 1999 season
s. For the 2000 season
, Junction Jack was introduced as the team's mascot with the move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field
. The name Orbit paid homage to Houston's association with NASA
and nickname Space City.
Following a visit to then the AAA-Astros affiliate, the Tucson Toros
in 1989, former team marketing Vice President Ted Haracz sought to bring the Toros' mascot, Tuffy to Houston to serve as the teams mascot. Although Tuffy was not promoted from Tucson, Hal Katzman, who performed as Tuffy was invited by the team to serve as Orbit for the 1990 season. The development of a team mascot for the 1990 season was viewed by the team as an important piece in its community outreach programs, specifically with children.
Both the naming and design of the mascot were established from suggestion from local, Houston-area schoolchildren of which included Anthony Holan from Splendora, TX.. 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. The first public appearance of Orbit occurred in January 1990 at Heflin Elementary School.
One of the more notable incidents involving Orbit occurred when umpire Gary Darling
ejected the mascot from the game for arguing balls and strikes. In addition to his role as the Astros' mascot, Orbit made a one-time appearance as "Marty the Mariner Martian" during a "Turn Ahead the Clock" promotion at a 1998
Seattle Mariners
game.
Orbit was replaced with Junction Jack beginning in the 2000 season
, with the team's move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field
.
On April 13th 2010 a Facebook group called "Bring Back Orbit" was created with the hopes of having the Houston Astros organization to reinstate the mascot.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
former mascot, a lime-green outer-space creature wearing an Astros jersey with antennae extending into baseballs. Orbit was the teams official mascot from the 1990
1990 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros....
through the 1999 season
1999 Houston Astros season
The 1999 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League Central.-Offseason:* November 17, 1998: Ken Caminiti was signed as a free agent by the Astros....
s. For the 2000 season
2000 Houston Astros season
The 2000 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League Central.-Offseason:...
, Junction Jack was introduced as the team's mascot with the move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
. The name Orbit paid homage to Houston's association with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and nickname Space City.
History
In April of 1977 the Houston Astros introduced their very first mascot, Chester Charge. At that time there was only one other mascot in major league baseball, which was the San Diego Chicken. Chester Charge was a 45 pound costume of a cartoon Texas cavalry soldier on a horse. Chester appeared on the field at the beginning of each home game, during the seventh inning stretch and then ran around the bases at the conclusion of each win. At the blast of a bugle, the scoreboard would light up and the audience would yell, “Charge!” The first Chester Charge was played by Steve Ross who was then an 18-year-old Senior High School student. The creation of Chester Charge and the (incredible for its day) scoreboard graphics were created by Ed Henderson.Following a visit to then the AAA-Astros affiliate, the Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
in 1989, former team marketing Vice President Ted Haracz sought to bring the Toros' mascot, Tuffy to Houston to serve as the teams mascot. Although Tuffy was not promoted from Tucson, Hal Katzman, who performed as Tuffy was invited by the team to serve as Orbit for the 1990 season. The development of a team mascot for the 1990 season was viewed by the team as an important piece in its community outreach programs, specifically with children.
Both the naming and design of the mascot were established from suggestion from local, Houston-area schoolchildren of which included Anthony Holan from Splendora, TX.. 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. The first public appearance of Orbit occurred in January 1990 at Heflin Elementary School.
One of the more notable incidents involving Orbit occurred when umpire Gary Darling
Gary Darling
Gary Richard Darling is an umpire in Major League Baseball. After beginning his career in the National League from to 1999, he has worked throughout both major leagues since 2002. He wears uniform number 37.Darling attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California...
ejected the mascot from the game for arguing balls and strikes. In addition to his role as the Astros' mascot, Orbit made a one-time appearance as "Marty the Mariner Martian" during a "Turn Ahead the Clock" promotion at a 1998
1998 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1998 season was their 22nd since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 76-85.-Offseason:...
Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
game.
Orbit was replaced with Junction Jack beginning in the 2000 season
2000 Houston Astros season
The 2000 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League Central.-Offseason:...
, with the team's move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
.
On April 13th 2010 a Facebook group called "Bring Back Orbit" was created with the hopes of having the Houston Astros organization to reinstate the mascot.