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Express Unveil New Astros Affiliation, Logos/Branding

Round Rock Express 2019

It’s a new look and an old partner for the Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), as the team announced a return to a Houston Astros affiliation and a series of new logos and branding.

The move from the Texas Rangers to the Houston Astros was expected, with a new player development contract running through 2022.

The four-year agreement begins immediately and brings the club back within the Houston organization after it served as the Astros’ Double-A affiliate from 2000-2004 and the club’s Triple-A affiliate from 2005-2010.

“This is a great day for all Central Texas baseball fans,” Express CEO Reese Ryan said. “The Astros have been a big part of our family and this area for a long time. We’re excited to partner with them once again as we get ready for our 20th anniversary season at Dell Diamond.”

The Express were founded as a Double-A franchise in 2000 by Ryan Sanders Baseball, a group made up of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, his sons Reid and Reese, Houston businessman Don Sanders and his sons, Bret and Brad. Reid currently serves as the President of Business Operations for the Astros while Nolan is an Executive Advisor.

“This will be a great partnership for the Astros and the Express in a variety of ways,” Reid Ryan said. “We now have our two highest minor league affiliates back in Texas, which is great for our fans and, logistically, for our Major League club when promoting players. And, it should be a big plus for the Express on the field as well. As an organization, the Astros take a great deal of pride in our player development efforts, the results of which can be seen with the success of our minor league clubs and by our Major League club.”

“On a personal level, this is certainly an exciting day for our family as well. We have made so many great memories in Round Rock with the Express over the years. From all the work that went into bringing a minor league club to Central Texas to the championships won along the way, this city and this team will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

Since Jim Crane purchased the Astros following the 2011 season, the Astros have built and maintained one of the finest minor league systems in all of baseball, under the direction of Jeff Luhnow, the team’s President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. Five of the Astros’ minor league affiliates qualified for the postseason in 2018, including their Triple-A club at Fresno. The Astros also boasted the second-highest combined minor league winning percentage in baseball this season. That success in player development has translated into success at the Major League level as well, as several of the Astros current big league stars were drafted and/or developed in their minor league system.

Round Rock Express 20th anniversary logo

New Logos/Branding Unveiled as Well

Round Rock Express 20th anniversary logoAfter the new PDC agreement was announced in front of over 700 season ticket members, sponsors and media on Thursday night at Dell Diamond, the Express also unveiled a new brand identity that embodies the heart and soul of the Round Rock community. The team’s primary E-Train logo has been enhanced to more authentically represent the historic trains that came through Round Rock along the Chisholm Trail. The center of the E-Train is also a tribute to the iconic “Lone Star” that Texas is proudly known for.

Fans will enjoy a new “double-R” mark as well, a cattle brand nod to the Ryan family’s love of ranching. The double-R is the focal point of a new custom Express team font that fans can expect to see in 2019.

“As we enter the next era of Round Rock Express baseball, it made all the sense in the world to give our brand a refresh,” Express General Manager Tim Jackson said. “On the dawn of our 20th anniversary season and our rejoining the Houston organization, we’re excited to pay homage to our original color scheme while giving our look a major-league redesign.”

The new look kicks off the Express’ 20th anniversary season featuring a 20-year logo showcasing the iconic round rock that the city is named for perched in front of an Astros’ rainbow-inspired sky commemorating the dawn of a new affiliation.

Round Rock Express 2018The team has returned to its original navy and a new shade of deep red along with silver. The redesigned home white uniforms feature navy trim and showcase the team’s “Express” lettering across the chest and a 20th season sleeve patch. The new navy home cap features the reimagined E-Train. On the road, the club will don traditional gray uniforms with “Round Rock” displayed across the chest and navy caps featuring the new double-R logo. Two alternate looks include a navy two-button henley and a white pinstripe uniform.

“We pride ourselves on providing a major league atmosphere at the minor league level,” Express President Chris Almendarez said. “This includes our unique brand and feel. Our partners at Brandiose did a great job refining our uniforms, logos, colors and the overall brand experience that fans will see when they enter Dell Diamond.”

The Express look was brought to life at Brandiose, where partners Jason Klein and Casey White make teams famous by celebrating their brand stories. The development process began in 2018 when Klein and White met with fans, staff and community members to learn about the stories, history and personality of the Express and Round Rock. Brandiose developed the logos, uniforms and is dreaming up enhancements for the 2019 fan experience.

“The Express are one of the most respected organization in Minor League Baseball,” Klein said. “It has been an honor to collaborate with the Ryan Family to connect the Express identity to the icons and traditions the Round Rock community holds so dear.”

You can read more about the current state of affiliations on our Affiliate Dance page. We expect a number of player development contracts to be renewed in the coming week, but there are always intriguing openings at every level of baseball. As you can see on the Affiliate Dance page, we’re now at the point where MLB and MiLB teams can search for new affiliation options, so there’s always a shuffle of sorts at the end of the season.

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