BJ Birdie

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BJ Birdie was the mascot for the Major League Baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, from August 31, 1979, to December 1999. BJ resembled a large blue bird, and was similar to the early San Diego Chicken. He was designed and played by costume designer Kevin Shanahan for the entire twenty years of his tenure, and was replaced by Ace and Diamond.

BJ was ejected from a Major League Baseball game, in 1993, for trying to convince fans a catch was made, when the umpire, Canadian Baseball Hall of famer Jim McKean ruled it a no catch.

He is also remembered for one baseball game where he pulled down then-Blue Jays third-basemen Ed Sprague's pants in the middle of a game, revealing that he was wearing heart-patterned boxers. This is believed to have been a stunt, although odds are the truth shall never be known, as it has likely been taken to BJ Birdie's grave.

Many people were unhappy that BJ was let go without a farewell announcement, and for some time, there was a backlash against his replacements Ace and Diamond in 2000.