Houston Astros Wear Throwback Colt .45s Jerseys on Team's 50th Anniversary

In case you missed it, the Houston Astros celebrated their 50th anniversary Tuesday night.

To commemorate the occasion, the team took the field in throwback jerseys of the team's original name, the Colt .45s.

You might recall that there was a brief controversy over whether or not the pistol that adorned the original jerseys should be on the throwbacks.

As MLB.com's Alyson Footer explains, MLB didn't want the pistol on the jerseys, but backed off and left the decision up to the team. Astros fans wanted the original look, and new owner Jim Crane obliged. 

Unfortunately, the retro togs didn't inspire the home team to victory on its special day. The Astros lost to the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, as Kyle Weiland was roughed up for four runs and eight hits over five innings.

Chipper Jones hit a home run in his first game back after being activated from the disabled list. Rookie Tyler Pastornicky also took Weiland deep. 

From here on out, the Astros will wear throwback uniforms from different eras in franchise history for every Friday home game during the 2012 season.