36 replies to this topic

[Section15Box113]

The Astros are reportedly considering a new identity to coincide with their move to the AL.

New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms.

Crane said Monday the team will conduct a study to decide whether or not to switch the name.
"We're going to study the information both from the fans and from all sorts of marketing people," Crane said. "I'm not saying we're going to change. We haven't made the decision yet whether we're going to change."

The team was established in 1962 as the Colt .45s and has been called the Astros since 1965 when it was changed to coincide with the move to the Astrodome.

Crane said switching uniforms is something they are "highly considering." Any changes wouldn't happen until 2013 when Houston makes the move from the National League to the American League.

Back to the Colt .45s? Bringing back tequila sunrise? The UniWatch guys will have a field day...


SI.com: Astros owner Crane mulling name, uniform changes
http://sportsillustr...2_a12&eref=sihp

[rembrat]

The Houston L'Astros has a nice ring to it.

[reej]

Maybe something to do with trains/railroad? Their stadium is located where the former Union Station in Houston used to be.

I read in passing somewhere awhile back when they were moving into Minute Maid Park they were going to rebrand as the "South Texas Railmen", not sure how true that was. If true, we were spared of an awful name.

[JohntheBaptist]

They'll focus group the shit out of this and in six months we'll start hearing about the name and uniform changes so generic they will defy logic.

[teddywingman]

They'll focus group the shit out of this and in six months we'll start hearing about the name and uniform changes so generic they will defy logic.

Count on it.

[canderson]

Since the Astrodome begot the Astros, Minute Maid Park should beget the Maids.

I vote for Houston Sprawl, Houston Energy or Houston Bay Rats. Actually as a native, I hope they don't change.

[jon abbey]

Houston Sizzurp

[GBrushTWood]

Houston is most well known these days as the United States mecca for the oil & gas industry: Houston Frackers? Wellheads? BOP's?

What an embarrassment. There really is nothing wrong with the Astros name, unless you assume the importance of NASA in Houston is now non-existant. I get the feeling a proposed name change will really piss off Houstonians that are already skeptical of the new owner.

Edited by GBrushTWood, 23 January 2012 - 11:34 PM.

[SoxScout]

Does the NFL own the right to Houston Oilers?

[Rough Carrigan]

Does the NFL own the right to Houston Oilers?

Hell, they'd have a ready made theme song, too! How'd you like to tune in to Orsillo and Remy and if Houston starts to rally late in the game you hear "We're the . . Houston oi-lers . . Houston oi-lers . . Houston oilers number one . . . !"
Luv ya blue!

[Sinistas]

Rainbow Guts had better be on the way.

[SemperFidelisSox]

First professional baseball team in Texas, a pennant, Nolan Ryan, Bagwell, Biggio, the Astrodome. They may not be the Red Sox or Dodgers, but this franchise still has a pretty rich history. And you're not going to do much better than that Astro star logo, which is a classic.

[BucketOBalls]

If they followed the Sonics model it would be....Shuttles?

[Guero]

The Houston Minutemaidmen!

[Bigpupp]

Megamaids get my vote.



Team slogan works too, "Suck! Suck! Suck!"

Edited by Bigpupp, 24 January 2012 - 02:09 AM.

[Savin Hillbilly]

Houston is most well known these days as the United States mecca for the oil & gas industry: Houston Frackers? Wellheads? BOP's?

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Houston Drill Babies!

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

There was some talk a few years ago about the Houston Express (I think) which went along with the choo-choo train thing. I wouldn't mind seeing a return to the Colts or going back even further to the minor league team that was based in Houston for decades, the Buffs.

But as JtB said, it will be focus-grouped and boring. Like the Wizards or Thunder or Magic or Wild or something dumb.

[Lose Remerswaal]

As long as Nolan Ryan is associated with the other team in Texas, the Houston team is unlikely to use "Express" in any way.

[CJM]

Houston Sizzurp

The promotional nights would be tremendous.

[DanoooME]

There's about zero chance they'll use the Colt .45s name again. Imagine all of the PC groups going ballistic about them doing so, "promoting use of firearms".

I vote for the Houston Whitneys and they can hire former 70's OF Bobby Brown to be the GM. Everyone can wear elaborate wigs under their hats.

[Comfortably Lomb]

Great... professional sports need another lame focus grouped name. There's nothing wrong with the Astros name right now. The problem is their crappy uniforms and specifically the inferior logo on the cap. Go back to the H with a star behind it... that wasn't the problem in that era... the rainbow unis were.

[Lose Remerswaal]

There's about zero chance they'll use the Colt .45s name again. Imagine all of the PC groups going ballistic about them doing so, "promoting use of firearms".

I vote for the Houston Whitneys and they can hire former 70's OF Bobby Brown to be the GM. Everyone can wear elaborate wigs under their hats.

Just use this logo



and tell people it's named for the beer. Like the Brewers.

[Frank, Fenway]

That's not beer.

[maufman]

There's about zero chance they'll use the Colt .45s name again. Imagine all of the PC groups going ballistic about them doing so, "promoting use of firearms".

I vote for the Houston Whitneys and they can hire former 70's OF Bobby Brown to be the GM. Everyone can wear elaborate wigs under their hats.

Actually, the backlash against this predictable P.C. reaction might play nicely in Texas. It would be a bold move -- which of course means it won't happen.

I could see "Colts," though, as a nod to both the .45s and the state's cowboy past.

Edited by maufman, 25 January 2012 - 01:35 PM.

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

Wasn't it the Colt 45 company that told the Houston team to stop using the name in conjunction with their gun logo as it was copyright infringement?

You know it will be the Houston X-citement or X-treme or Bushes or Clemenses or something dumb.

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

Houston AAAA's?

[maufman]

Wasn't it the Colt 45 company that told the Houston team to stop using the name in conjunction with their gun logo as it was copyright infringement?

You know it will be the Houston X-citement or X-treme or Bushes or Clemenses or something dumb.

Times have changed. I'll bet the folks at Colt would be amenable to the arrangement now (but like I said, I don't expect the club to go that route).

Baseball is so steeped in tradition, I'd be shocked if they go with anything besides Astros or Colts. If I were a betting man, I'd wager they keep the Astros name at the end of the day.

[FL4WL3SS]

Megamaids get my vote.



Team slogan works too, "Suck! Suck! Suck!"

Holy shit that's fantastic.

[Lose Remerswaal]

That's not beer.

Good point

[SumnerH]

That's not beer.

Ale in Texas!

[steveluck7]

Good point

As soon as I saw the beer post I was going to post a Billy D pic. I'm shocked that as I read down, this was the first one, posted roghly 3 hours later

[Freddy Linn]

According to Astros’ Sr. Director of Social Media Alyson Footer, Crane said the following in a taped video message to season-ticket holders:

“You asked for change and we added several fan friendly initiatives last week and we hope you like them,” Crane said. “We will continue to listen, and to look for additional ways to improve on and off the field.
“One thing that we are not going to change is the name. We received strong feedback and consensus among season ticket holders and many fans, and we will not change the name Astros. The Houston Astros are here to stay.”

Link

[Section15Box113]

There's about zero chance they'll use the Colt .45s name again. Imagine all of the PC groups going ballistic about them doing so, "promoting use of firearms".

So to speak...

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

So, the Astros are staying the Astros. Meh. I'm glad because they would have screwed it up.

If they could go back to the H on the hat, and the shooting star over the team, they'll be ok.



Sweet.

Edit: Oops. Didn't see Linn's post, sorry.

[Kilgore A. Trout]

Too bad. I know Astros is a reference to the space program, but the way it at least was through their painted cement domed stadium always made me feel it was still kinda tacky. So a new moniker wouldn't be so bad.
Obviously they couldn't go back to Colt .45s- the allusion to handguns or malt liquor wouldn't work in this day and age. Maybe in texas but even that state alone isn't big enough for marketing a MLB team. So what else could they have gone back to?
I looked up to see what other historical team names here were from Houston.
Houston Stonewalls (late 19th century, named after Stonewall Jackson. Not sure a team named after a confederate general, no matter how iconic he was, would work)
Houston Babies (really)
Houston Red Stocking (did everyone steal Cincinatti's nickname at some point?)
Houston Mud Cats (not too bad, a little clunky)
Houston Magnolias (um, no- not as bad as Babies at least)
Houston Buffalos (meh)
Houston Wanderers (also meh)
Houston Monarchs (not too bad a name)
Houston Black Buffs (sounds way too porny)
Houston Eagles (feels weird saying Houston instead of Philadelphia for that)

[drleather2001]

The Houston Humidity.

[CaptainLaddie]

The Houston Wanna-Be-3rd-Coast-Of-America