What is the Astros' mascot? A history of Orbit's origin in Houston and more to know

David Suggs

•
What is the Astros' mascot? A history of Orbit's origin in Houston and more to know image

When it comes to Astros baseball, much has changed over the years.

The franchise went from perennial losers to championship contenders over the course of a decade. Now, they're headed to another Fall Classic — their fourth such appearance in six years. 

Over that time, there have been a whole lot of moving parts. Players, front office personnel, even fans have come and gone. But one figure that has remained steadfast in its support of the franchise is its beloved mascot, Orbit.

Orbit is a spacey fuzzball that has come to bring joy in the faces of many a Houston fan.

Here's how he came to be:

MORE: What to know about Phillies vs. Astros in 2022 World Series

Orbit-the-astro-FTR-Getty.jpg

What is the Astros' mascot?

The Astros have enlisted the services of a furry extraterrestrial to build excitement at Minute Maid Park. Orbit is an baseball loving alien with olive-green complexion who has come to represent the 'Stros over the years.

With a pair of antennae that extend to feature to baseballs, Orbit's commitment to the bit is admirable. And he has come to be a part of the fabric of the Houston sports community.

Astros mascot history

Since their inception in 1962, the Astros have had a colorful history with mascots. The organization's first mascot wasn't much of a mascot at all. In fact, it was a comedian: Bill Dana was enlisted as the franchise's first good-luck charm, performing skits at home games in the mid-1960s.

Dana's routine repeatedly referenced the franchise's proximity to the Johnson Space Center. And it set the stage for a number of other space-related mascots that the franchise introduced, including the "Earthmen" — vacuum-cleaning members of the grounds crew who would take the field in bright orange flight suits and giant space helmets.

The franchise came back down to earth in the 1980s, launching Astrojack (a rabbit) and Astrodillo (an armadillo) to keep the crowd engaged.

In 1990, though, the Astros finally found their match. Orbit came to fruition, draped in those iconic rainbow-colored Houston jerseys of yesteryear. He was an immediate hit, becoming a central part of the Astros' aura throughout the decades. There was Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Mike Hampton. Then, there was Orbit.

MORE: How many World Series have the Astros won? 

Orbit returned to his space voyage in 2000, the same year the 'Stros ventured into new territory. In his stead came a pair of temporary replacements: first "General Admission", a swashbuckling, cannon-toting sheriff. Then, "Junction Jack", a doe-eyed jackrabbit.

But they just didn't hit quite like Orbit. And in 2012, Houston made perhaps its best decision, re-enlisting the services of their furry alien friend to coincide with the franchise's return to its original color scheme. It's been a pretty fruitful relationship since then.

Who is in the Astros mascot costume?

The Astros held an extensive search to figure out who had the right temperament to wear Orbit's iconic digs in 2012. They landed on a University of Texas alum, Richard Tapia, who had some experience rocking mascot gear before: Tapia masqueraded as Hook 'Em during his time in Austin before going onto play Spike for the Round Rock Express, the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.

It's not quite clear if Tapia is still fitted out in the rotund extraterrestrial's costume in 2022. However, his time in the fit certainly coincided with the franchise's best period in its history — one it hopes to keep going with another World Series title.

If the 'Stros do end up hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy at the end of the year, look out. There might be a woolly alien taking in all the scenes in the infield.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.