youppi

Youppi, or Youppi! (Yippee! or Hooray! in French), has been the mascot for the Montreal Expos baseball team since 1979. The orange, hairy giant is one of the most popular figures among kids at Olympic Stadium, where he is often running around with his arms waving wildly during baseball games. Youppi was the first mascot to be thrown out of a Major League Baseball game. On August 23, 1989, he was ejected in the 11th inning after Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda complained to the umpires about his dancing on top of the visitors' dugout. Youppi is often referred to as one of only three mascots inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The others are the Phillie Phanatic of Philadelphia and the Famous Chicken from San Diego. Although their likenesses can be found in the displays in Cooperstown, their inductions to the Hall of Fame are not considered "official". The Expos' move to Washington puts Youppi's countinued term as mascot in doubt. A few newspaper articles pointing to Youppi staying in Montreal with a local company. However, Youppi will no longer wear Expos gear. It is rumoured that once NHL hockey resumes that Youppi may become the mascot of the Montreal Canadiens.

Youppi

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