"Orbit the Mascot" Orbit, the lovable green alien mascot of the Houston Astros baseball team, has become an iconic figure in the world of sports entertainment. Since his debut in 1990, Orbit has captured the hearts of fans and players alike with his playful antics and infectious energy. With his furry green costume, big floppy ears, and mischievous grin, Orbit is instantly recognizable. He can be seen bouncing around the stadium, high-fiving fans, and engaging in entertaining antics during breaks in the game. From dancing on the dugout to spraying silly string on unsuspecting spectators, Orbit brings an element of fun to every Astros game. But Orbit is more than just a source of amusement.
Soon after Crane’s takeover, Orbit received a call offering him his old job back with his own apartment at Union Station for the 2013 season. It was an offer that he could not turn down. Following the 2012 season, Crane invited Orbit over for grilled rabbit with rosemary and garlic and nothing had ever tasted so savory!
After a spat with then owner, Drayton McLane, prior to the final game of the 1999 season, Orbit s anger got the best of him and he took it out on General Admission by zapping him with his ray gun on the field. One of the most telling signs of the alien s disgruntlement was when he was ejected from a game for arguing balls and strikes with umpire Gary Darling.
But Orbit is more than just a source of amusement. He also plays an important role in building a sense of community and camaraderie among fans. With his friendly demeanor and approachable personality, he creates a welcoming environment that fosters a deep connection between the team and its supporters.
Behind the Mascot: The Story of Orbit
Everyone remembers the Houston Astros’ lovable, alien mascot of the 90s, Orbit. He made his home in the Astrodome and entertained thousands of fans each night during Astros’ home games. Everyone also knows that once the Astros moved into their new downtown stadium, Orbit was replaced by the train-conducting rabbit, Junction Jack. What everyone doesn’t know is why Orbit was replaced and what he was up to during those off years.
For nearly ten years Orbit lived in the Astrosdome and loved to do nothing but entertain the fans. Slowly things started to turn for Orbit. The Astros introduced another mascot by the name of General Admission to help humor the crowds. General Admission was a middle-aged guy that wore a U.S. Calvary Uniform and fired off a cannon with each Astros’ home run. Orbit was no fan of the General and everyone could start to see Orbit’s frustrations. One of the most telling signs of the alien’s disgruntlement was when he was ejected from a game for arguing balls and strikes with umpire Gary Darling.
In 1997, Orbit caught wind of the plan to move the Astros into a new downtown ballpark. The thought further infuriated Orbit, and soon he had taken up drinking to drown his frustrations. Orbit was in disbelief over the team moving from his home to a ballpark that wouldn’t even have AstroTurf on the field! As the team’s time at the Astrodome wound down, Orbit was unsure of how he fit into the team’s future plans. After a spat with then owner, Drayton McLane, prior to the final game of the 1999 season, Orbit’s anger got the best of him and he took it out on General Admission by zapping him with his ray gun on the field. Nearly Thirteen years went by before we ever heard from Orbit again, but I was able to dig up what he was doing during that time.
Following the apparent murder of General Admission, Orbit was taken into custody and sentenced to five years of intensive psychiatric treatment at the Menninger Clinic. He made great strides during those years and was finally released in October of 2005. Unfortunately for Orbit, his former team had more television coverage than ever at that time. He was unable to avoid seeing his Astros in their first ever World Series and with a new mascot, nonetheless. Sources say that the first time that Orbit laid eyes on that train-conducting rabbit, he was absolutely irate! Orbit turned back to the booze and knew he had to leave the state of Texas to get away from all of the Astros’ hoopla.
Orbit headed north until he reached Warrensburg, Missouri. There was something about that town that really drew him in. Unfortunately, the move did not help Orbit to overcome his alcoholism, so he had trouble finding and keeping jobs. Finally, in early spring of 2010, a neighbor at the trailer park that Orbit was living in had been observing Orbit’s behavior and took it upon himself to go and talk to him. When the neighbor went inside Orbit’s home he realized that the problem was much worse than what he had expected. He saw beer cans and whiskey bottles covering the floors and “Die Junction Jack” written all over the walls in red lipstick. The neighbor knew that he had to get Orbit help, and was able to talk Orbit into checking into the Pathways Community Behavior Healthcare Inc. Substance Abuse Program in Warrensburg, Missouri.
By the fall of 2010 Orbit felt like a new alien. He no longer held onto the bitterness towards his former team or their Bugs Bunny knockoff, Junction Jack. He was back on the wagon and had even found a steady job at the university in town as a janitor.
The Spring of 2011 brought forth another life-changing event for Orbit. During an Alumni event at his university, The University of Central Missouri, he ran into a wealthy businessman in the dining hall’s restroom. Orbit, being quite sociable, started up a conversation with the well-dressed man and found out that he was in the process of buying Orbit’s former team, the Houston Astros! Orbit was in disbelief and had to admit that he was happy when the businessman, Jim Crane, had told the story of his damning run-in with Junction Jack. Apparently, Crane was at Minute Maid Park for a lunch meeting with Drayton McLane when Junction Jack walked in and “accidentally” stepped on Crane’s $700 Salvatore Ferragamo wingtips, leaving a deep scratch in the toe of his right shoe. Crane said he would never forgive the rabbit for that and told Orbit that he planned on “taking out the trash” as soon as his purchase was complete.
Soon after Crane’s takeover, Orbit received a call offering him his old job back with his own apartment at Union Station for the 2013 season. It was an offer that he could not turn down. Following the 2012 season, Crane invited Orbit over for grilled rabbit with rosemary and garlic and nothing had ever tasted so savory!
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.
Orbit's popularity extends beyond the confines of Minute Maid Park. He is often seen making appearances at community events, schools, and hospitals, spreading joy and excitement wherever he goes. Whether he is leading a cheer, posing for photos, or participating in charitable activities, Orbit continues to bring smiles to the faces of people of all ages. In addition to his entertainment value, Orbit serves as a symbol of resilience and perseverance. Despite the team's ups and downs over the years, he remains a constant presence, cheering on the Astros and reminding fans to stay positive even in the face of challenges. Overall, Orbit is much more than just a mascot. He is a beloved figure who embodies the spirit of the Houston Astros and brings joy to the lives of fans everywhere. With his infectious energy and unwavering enthusiasm, Orbit has truly become an integral part of the Astros' identity, ensuring that the team's legacy will endure for years to come..
Reviews for "Orbit: The Mascot for All Generations"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - "Orbit the mascot was a huge disappointment for me. The story was predictable, with cliched characters and a lackluster plot. The humor fell flat, and all the attempts at jokes felt forced. The writing style was uninspiring and lacked depth. Overall, I found the book to be boring and not worth the time."
2. Steven - 1 star - "I couldn't get through more than a few chapters of Orbit the mascot. The writing was poorly done, filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable. The story lacked any real depth or meaningful themes. I found it to be a complete waste of my time and money."
3. Laura - 2 stars - "Orbit the mascot had so much potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts while rushing through others. The world-building was insufficient, leaving many unanswered questions. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. Although the concept was interesting, the book failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience."
4. Michael - 3 stars - "Orbit the mascot had its moments, but overall, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The characters were inconsistent, making it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. The plot twists were predictable, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. While there were some humorous moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the book."
5. Sarah - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for Orbit the mascot, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The writing style was overly simplistic and lacked sophistication. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to invest in their journey. I found myself disengaged and uninterested in the story, making it a disappointing read."