The Houston Astros have worn many different uniform designs over their history, with the most popular probably the 1970's-'80's Rainbow threads. I know I am in the minority when I say this, but my favorite Astros throwback uniform is the original. In my opinion, the best Astros look was worn before they were the Astros, back to the beginning of the franchise, when they were the Houston Colt .45s.
They were only the Colt .45s for three seasons, from 1962-1964 before rebranding as the Astros. The uniforms with the Colt revolver and the smoking gun barrel were classic. Add to that, the deep blue cap with the orange .45s logo made for one of the great uniforms in big league history.
Controversy erupted before that season began, when then commissioner Bud Selig issued one of his Godfather-like commands prohibiting the Astros from wearing the image of the gun. At first, it was reported that then new owner Jim Crane would bow to Selig and acquiesce. The pronouncement by Selig led me to write this scathing piece, 'Come and Take It, Bud Selig' (a chapter in my book, 'A Sports Junkie'). The Astros and Selig went around and around for several months, until Selig conceded (read: getting blood from a rock), and Crane to announce that his Astros would wear the gun. Astros fans everywhere applauded the move, as no one in Houston likes Bud very much anyway.
It is a bit personal for me, as my earliest baseball memory involves the Houston Colt .45s. The first Major League baseball game I attended in person was July 12 1962, at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. I was a Pirates fan, with Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski my favorite players. I was a fan of all of all things Major League Baseball, and I was thrilled to see the brand new Houston team play my Pirates. It is one of those things that sticks in your memory, your first big league game, and the Colt .45s played a big part of that memory for me.New jersey. 1964 Houston colt .45s, the Astros really need to go back to this logo. pic.twitter.com/MdEWtlwR— Ryan Strong (@RyanStrong29) December 4, 2011
At the time, 1962 and 1963, the Colt .45s also had several minor league teams that sported related names. These included the Moultrie Colt .22s (Class-D Georgia-Florida League), the Modesto Colts of the Class-C California League, and the Double-A Texas League, San Antonio Bullets.
Baseball's long, rich uniform history should be observed and celebrated. I would be happy to see more teams occasionally wearing throwbacks, although some, like the 1976 Chicago White Sox and their short pants, should never again be seen. The Washington Nationals should bring out the old Montreal Expos uniforms to celebrate their origin. Or how about the 1950's-'60's Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians with their sleeveless jerseys. This design was unique and classic, and I would like to see them return occasionally. There are others, of course, but as mentioned, my favorite is the Colt .45s.
Let's continue to celebrate the history of Major League baseball in Houston, and let's continue to show the fans brief snippets of Astros history by featuring the old uniforms a few times each season. Bring back those popular throwback uniform nights at Minute Maid Park, and don't forget to include the Colt .45s.
Larry Manch is an author, teacher, guitar player, freelance writer, and columnist. His books include: 'Twisted Logic: 50 Edgy Flash Fiction Stories', 'The Toughest Hundred Dollars & Other Rock & Roll Stories','A Sports Junkie', 'The Avery Appointment', 'Between the Fuzzy Parts'. His books are available in paperback and e-book.
He writes about sports for Season Tickets, food and travel on Miles & Meals, and music/guitars on The Backbeat.
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