Youppi
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Youppi_Montreal_Expos.jpg
Youppi, or Youppi! (Yippee! or Hooray! in French), was the mascot for the Montreal Expos baseball team from 1979 until the team moved to Washington, DC after the 2004 season. The orange, hairy giant was one of the most popular figures among kids at Olympic Stadium, where he was often seen 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 term as mascot to an end, replaced by an eagle named Screech. A few newspaper articles point 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 Youppi may become the mascot of the Montreal Canadiens.