The Astros gathered all the local sports mascots for a photo op

Here's an idea - can we get Sammy (or someone in the costume) out to any local sports games? Whether it's the Dynamo, minor league baseball, arena football, or whatever else is going on this summer? Just be a presence wherever allowed.

I was at a minor league baseball game last night (Bobby Bramhall was on the opposing team, but didn't pitch), and for crying out loud, there is now a goose as a mascot for Wawa at the game, in addition to the team's multiple mascots. (If you don't know what Wawa is, think of Circle-K and 7-11. Convenience store and gas station.)

Anywhere there is a large concentration of kids, get the mascot there. I see it with lots of local restaurants (Chick-Fil-A cow, even the Papa John's franchise has a pizza slice costume), and I'm surprised it never struck me before. These are huge opportunities being missed, IMO. Brand yourself as for the kids and hopefully fun. It's never fun to be in a mascot costume in the middle of the summer, but some things have to be done.

(06-15-2013 09:32 PM)gsloth Wrote:  Here's an idea - can we get Sammy (or someone in the costume) out to any local sports games? Whether it's the Dynamo, minor league baseball, arena football, or whatever else is going on this summer? Just be a presence wherever allowed.

I was at a minor league baseball game last night (Bobby Bramhall was on the opposing team, but didn't pitch), and for crying out loud, there is now a goose as a mascot for Wawa at the game, in addition to the team's multiple mascots. (If you don't know what Wawa is, think of Circle-K and 7-11. Convenience store and gas station.)

Anywhere there is a large concentration of kids, get the mascot there. I see it with lots of local restaurants (Chick-Fil-A cow, even the Papa John's franchise has a pizza slice costume), and I'm surprised it never struck me before. These are huge opportunities being missed, IMO. Brand yourself as for the kids and hopefully fun. It's never fun to be in a mascot costume in the middle of the summer, but some things have to be done.

I would have preferred a full time Sammy in place of any of Greenspan's (or even his) hires. But you are right getting Sammy out at various events is a plus. I like the pix when he is at Rice night at the rodeo. But since it is a student position it is difficult to ask them to do much more. I wonder if other schools that have very visible mascots (not talking about Bevo) have paid non-students in costume at times.

The last two Astros games have been very enjoyable: low-scoring, one run games (2-1 and 4-3) that moved quickly (2:49 and 2:39). Friday's game was especially interesting in two respects: NONE of the runs were earned (even though the Astros had no errors); and the White Sox pitcher earned a complete-game loss -- not something you see very often.

(06-15-2013 09:45 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 09:32 PM)gsloth Wrote:  Here's an idea - can we get Sammy (or someone in the costume) out to any local sports games? Whether it's the Dynamo, minor league baseball, arena football, or whatever else is going on this summer? Just be a presence wherever allowed.

I was at a minor league baseball game last night (Bobby Bramhall was on the opposing team, but didn't pitch), and for crying out loud, there is now a goose as a mascot for Wawa at the game, in addition to the team's multiple mascots. (If you don't know what Wawa is, think of Circle-K and 7-11. Convenience store and gas station.)

Anywhere there is a large concentration of kids, get the mascot there. I see it with lots of local restaurants (Chick-Fil-A cow, even the Papa John's franchise has a pizza slice costume), and I'm surprised it never struck me before. These are huge opportunities being missed, IMO. Brand yourself as for the kids and hopefully fun. It's never fun to be in a mascot costume in the middle of the summer, but some things have to be done.

I would have preferred a full time Sammy in place of any of Greenspan's (or even his) hires. But you are right getting Sammy out at various events is a plus. I like the pix when he is at Rice night at the rodeo. But since it is a student position it is difficult to ask them to do much more. I wonder if other schools that have very visible mascots (not talking about Bevo) have paid non-students in costume at times.

Time for metrosexual Sammy to be retired... with Greenspan.

@Tiki - I definitely was wondering how to handle who-occupies-the-costume angle. Nothing that a job redefinition for a few of the summer interns (pretty sure they would have something like this) to get tagged with. A few extra hours shouldn't hurt the budget that much.

But I'm sure the legalities of job descriptions and "required" travel is probably much more complex than I can imagine.

(06-16-2013 08:40 AM)Memphis Owl Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 09:45 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 09:32 PM)gsloth Wrote:  Here's an idea - can we get Sammy (or someone in the costume) out to any local sports games? Whether it's the Dynamo, minor league baseball, arena football, or whatever else is going on this summer? Just be a presence wherever allowed.

I was at a minor league baseball game last night (Bobby Bramhall was on the opposing team, but didn't pitch), and for crying out loud, there is now a goose as a mascot for Wawa at the game, in addition to the team's multiple mascots. (If you don't know what Wawa is, think of Circle-K and 7-11. Convenience store and gas station.)

Anywhere there is a large concentration of kids, get the mascot there. I see it with lots of local restaurants (Chick-Fil-A cow, even the Papa John's franchise has a pizza slice costume), and I'm surprised it never struck me before. These are huge opportunities being missed, IMO. Brand yourself as for the kids and hopefully fun. It's never fun to be in a mascot costume in the middle of the summer, but some things have to be done.

I would have preferred a full time Sammy in place of any of Greenspan's (or even his) hires. But you are right getting Sammy out at various events is a plus. I like the pix when he is at Rice night at the rodeo. But since it is a student position it is difficult to ask them to do much more. I wonder if other schools that have very visible mascots (not talking about Bevo) have paid non-students in costume at times.

Time for metrosexual Sammy to be retired... with Greenspan.

+1000

(06-16-2013 09:55 AM)WMD Owl Wrote:  

(06-16-2013 08:40 AM)Memphis Owl Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 09:45 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(06-15-2013 09:32 PM)gsloth Wrote:  Here's an idea - can we get Sammy (or someone in the costume) out to any local sports games? Whether it's the Dynamo, minor league baseball, arena football, or whatever else is going on this summer? Just be a presence wherever allowed.

I was at a minor league baseball game last night (Bobby Bramhall was on the opposing team, but didn't pitch), and for crying out loud, there is now a goose as a mascot for Wawa at the game, in addition to the team's multiple mascots. (If you don't know what Wawa is, think of Circle-K and 7-11. Convenience store and gas station.)

Anywhere there is a large concentration of kids, get the mascot there. I see it with lots of local restaurants (Chick-Fil-A cow, even the Papa John's franchise has a pizza slice costume), and I'm surprised it never struck me before. These are huge opportunities being missed, IMO. Brand yourself as for the kids and hopefully fun. It's never fun to be in a mascot costume in the middle of the summer, but some things have to be done.

I would have preferred a full time Sammy in place of any of Greenspan's (or even his) hires. But you are right getting Sammy out at various events is a plus. I like the pix when he is at Rice night at the rodeo. But since it is a student position it is difficult to ask them to do much more. I wonder if other schools that have very visible mascots (not talking about Bevo) have paid non-students in costume at times.

Time for metrosexual Sammy to be retired... with Greenspan.

+1000

please yes, bring back the one with Tiki Owl

(06-16-2013 08:38 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  The last two Astros games have been very enjoyable: low-scoring, one run games (2-1 and 4-3) that moved quickly (2:49 and 2:39). Friday's game was especially interesting in two respects: NONE of the runs were earned (even though the Astros had no errors); and the White Sox pitcher earned a complete-game loss -- not something you see very often.

And another one-run victory: this one 5-4, clocking in at a not-speedy but reasonable 3:17. You'd think they were still in the National League?

(06-15-2013 06:09 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  The Astros gathered all the local sports mascots for a photo op

Any photos of this on the web yet?

Per the Astros website:

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/artic...u&c_id=hou

ORBIT'S BIRTHDAY
On Saturday, at Game 2 of the Astros-White Sox series, Orbit will continue his birthday celebration with visits from other local mascots, who will all participate in an autograph session from 4:30-5:00pm. Joining Orbit for Saturday's game will be Toro (Texans), Clutch (Rockets), Shasta and Sasha (University of Houston), Diesel (Dynamo), Sammy the Owl (Rice University), Tex and Rex (Texas Southern University) and the Chick-fil-A Cows. Ten thousand fans will also receive the first ever Orbit Bobblebelly giveaway, courtesy of Coca-Cola.

Happy Birthday, Orbit!!

Is the Sammy costume shown in Tiki's avi still around?

The enjoyable part was that the Astros swept the White Sox. The youngsters are learning the game.

(06-16-2013 08:38 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  The last two Astros games have been very enjoyable: low-scoring, one run games (2-1 and 4-3) that moved quickly (2:49 and 2:39). Friday's game was especially interesting in two respects: NONE of the runs were earned (even though the Astros had no errors); and the White Sox pitcher earned a complete-game loss -- not something you see very often.