The rebrand of Houston’s Triple-A affiliate takes some getting used to.
In 2012, an expansion team known as the Sugar Land Skeeters was added to the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), an independent baseball league. Based out of the Sugar Land area of Houston, the team’s nickname came from what happens during hot Texas nights: there are loads of mosquitos.
Courtesy Gigi’s Playhouse
It took time for the Skeeters to win a league championship (in 2016 and in 2018). Then, with the 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19, the Skeeters competed in the Constellation Energy League, a farm-club league.
The Houston Astros purchased an ownership stake in the team and made the Skeeters their Triple-A affiliate. joining the historic Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 2022. But the upgrade cost the team its nickname. Wanting to capitalize on Houston’s connection to the U.S. space program, the Sketters became the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Say what?!
The Skeeters fit nicely. It’s fun and menacing, too, with the logo showing a mosquito with mean angry teeth piercing a baseball. That, I think, is much better than the new logo, which pictures a cowboy in an astronaut’s helmet. Really?!
I understand, but I’m a bit disappointed, too. Still, I want the team to do well. So adjust to it I will. Go, Space Cowboys!
(But alas! Sugar Land is 21-33 at the time of the writing, in last place, 11 games behind PCL East division-leading Okla City.)
I worked at the Dell Diamond for the Round Rock Express for 7 seasons. Until I left in 2016. The Express are in the PCL and the Triple-A affiliate for the Texas Rangers. I had no idea that all of took place with the Skeeters. I don’t follow triple-A as close as I did when I worked there. However, this is great story and I love the new name Space Cowboys. Love the article Matthew Paris. Great job.