Fact: Jim Crane is the owner of the Astros and has the right (within league rules) to do as he pleases with the team.
Fact: The move to the AL has been; for the most part, a very unpopular idea for the fans and it is understood that Jim Crane did not ask to move he is being forced by Bud Selig to do so.
Fact: There are times when change is good when you are not changing for the sake of change.
As we approach the first season under the new owner of the Astros; it is clear that change is a key word for this franchise. Ticket prices are changing, food and drink prices are changing, front office is almost completely changed and we will see a change in a few positions on the field. But; these are the potential positive changes for this franchise.
A change in logo or a change in uniform is not a big deal for most fans. But to change the name and identity of a franchise that has been so named for 50 years is a bad idea. While the forced move to the AL will alienate some fans; a change in team name will only do further damage to the fan base.
Mr. Crane needs to change personnel on the field until he has the players that will bring the Astros back into prominence. He has already made positive change in the front office that will help in the previously addressed area. But changing the identity of this team is simply a bad idea.
You wouldn't see this as even a topic of conversation in Chicago, Boston, New York or LA...so why here?
0 recs | 6 comments
I know several people had stated that if the Astros move to the AL they should just go ahead and change the name. Of course those fans are also the ones most likely not to watch the team when it plays in the AL. So yes, a name change does probably alienate the fans that are still going to watch, but I don’t think it hurts to explore the possibility.
At this point and time there’s a lot of negativity surrounding the team. Crane is just looking at every avenue for shedding some of that negativity.
Timothy De Block - January 25, 2012
That’s the odd thing. From what I’ve seen on internet blogs, the Astros’ fans who congratulate Crane on considering the name change are most likely to be fans who are so upset about the AL move that they have sworn to quit being a fan of the Astros when the Astros go to the AL. In their view, the Astros cease being the same team in the AL and they do not want their beloved Astros name associated with the AL. Given their reasons for supporting a name change, it seems that they wouldn’t be the right focus group for Crane.
clack - January 25, 2012
I'm an Astros fan..........
……AL or NL….I’m an ASTROS fan!
Milwaukee didn’t change team names when coming to the NL (geez…they had every reason too), The Dodgers went to another city and didn’t change names. Why should we.
The comment that will tick me off the most, “The Astros changed their name too (Insert new name here) just like the Expos did.”
We do not deserve to be lumped in with the Expos. Our history is greater than that.
AstrosBill - January 25, 2012
Well said
BustaPozee - January 25, 2012
I agree!
I am a diehard Astros fan! I want the Astros to keep their name the way it is. I will remember these hard times the last couple of years when we are good!
Astros7 - January 25, 2012
Name Change
I think changing the name is the right thing to do since they no longer play at the Astrodome. My choice for a name would be the Houston Hot Shots. Go ahead and
laugh, tell me what an idiot I am
jssptx - January 29, 2012
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