Mar 16, 2009

Fun facts about Youppi!

Wikipedia on Youppi:
  • Created by the same marketing team who designed the Phanatic
  • Was the first mascot to be ejected from a game - August 23, 1989. "In the 11th inning, while atop the visitors' dugout, Youppi! took a running leap, landing hard and noisily on its roof, and then snuck into a front row seat. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda complained to the umpires and Youppi! was ejected, though he later returned, confined to the home team's dugout roof."
  • Is one of only three mascots in the baseball hall of fame.
  • Is the only pro mascot that we know of that's switched sports - from the Expos to the Canadiens.
From a TSN/Canadian Press report:

[Youppi] has been picked up by the NHL Montreal Canadiens after intense negotiations with 10 different interested groups and companies, including the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.

Terms of the deal between the Expos and the Canadiens were not disclosed but one report said negotiations involved six figures.

Claude Delorme, a former vice-president of the Expos, said discussions began about a week after the club's home season ended.

Youppi!'s last official event was an Expos' game on Sept. 29, 2004 when the team played its final home game at the Olympic Stadium.

The National League club then moved to Washington to become the Nationals.

''He was actually with the Expos for 25 years but was off for 10 months since last October,'' said Delorme.

Delorme admits there were a few stumbling blocks along the way.

''It wasn't really a question of hard negotiations.

''What complicated it was really all the legal issues and we really had to deal with the Expos' rights on the uniform and it took several months and several batteries of lawyers to get there.

''For us it's a natural decision for the Canadiens to adopt him and keep the continuity of Youppi! in Montreal and Quebec.

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