The Houston franchise will remain the Astros.
“You asked for change, and we addressed our fan-friendly initiatives last week, and we hope you liked them,” Crane told fans in a videotaped interview. “We will continue to listen and look for additional ways to improve on and off the field. One thing we’re not going to change is the name. We received strong feedback and consensus among season-ticket holders and many fans, and we will not be changing [our name]. Astros are here to stay. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the ballpark soon.”
This is about right. Its not a bad name, and if the fans like it they should keep it.
The argument about the declining importance of the space program was weak, its still a part of Houston’s history and to be honest there is not much else people associate with the city.
Thank God! There was no reason to change it and probably 99.8% of the Astros fans were strongly opposed to any change. The worst name idea floating around was one the Houston Texans had rejected – Houston Energy. Their theme song could have been The Information Society’s “I Want to Know What You Are Thinking (Pure Energy).” Thankfully we will be spared that humiliation. Being forced to move to the AL is bad enough.
Is anyone else thinking “New Coke”?