That’s right! The New York Yankees used to have a mascot named “Dandy” and yes he even wore the infamous pin stripes and looked ALOT like the Philly Phanatic!
That may be because they were actually brothers! Dandy was created by the same couple who created and introduced the infamous Philadelphia Phillies mascot – The Philly Phanatic.
The Yankees wanted to match the success of the Philly Phanatic and “Dandy” was debuted in 1979. However his career only lasted approximately 3 years while making an embarrassing $40 per game and being shoved to only entertain in the upper deck.
So who caused the demise of Dandy? Who other than Lou Piniella -current manager of the Chicago Cubs.
While playing left field against the Seattle Mariners, the visiting San Diego Chicken was teasing Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry. Out of rage, Lou Piniella chased down the chicken and whipped his glove drilling the mascot and almost knocking him over.
His act of frustration hit the headlines and Yankees George Steinbrenner declared to the media that mascots do not belong in baseball, this just two weeks before Dandy’s debut.
Thanks George!
Dandy started performing in the upperdeck as the Yankees management did not want his kind anywhere near the field. After 3 disasterous seasons Dandy’s contract was never renewed and the mascot was gone forever.
He was the “entertainer of the nosebleed section” and for that he will always be remembered.
Sources: http://gothamist.com/2010/06/15/remembering_dandy_the_doomed_yankee.php
http://www.nesn.com/2010/06/the-story-of-the-long-forgotten-yankees-mascot-dandy.html
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