MONTREAL (CP) - Even though his team is getting ready to pack the moving truck, there will be no funeral for Youppi!, the Montreal Expos' beloved mascot.
A veritable cult figure in Quebec, Youppi! - his name officially includes an exclamation point - will live on in some form after the Expos set up shop in Washington, D.C., Expos vice-president Claude Delorme said.
``Youppi! will not die with the death of the Expos,'' he said.
Delorme said the new ownership group in Washington could decide to bring Youppi! along with the rest of the Expos.
If not, Delorme said he has received interest from some individuals in Quebec who would look to buy the mascot's name and persona from the club.
``People identify with Youppi!, he's been the one constant with the Expos,'' Delorme said. ``So these people realize the value this mascot has.''
The orange mascot of ambiguous species has been riling up Expos fans at Olympic Stadium since 1979, and he is often the most popular attraction in the ball park for young and old alike.
It is not uncommon to see the furry fellow followed by a throng of kids and adults wanting to pose for a photo or get an autograph.
``I was out with some friends from around town the other night, and they were telling me how they used to come to the ball park just to see Youppi and then they'd go home,'' Expos outfielder Brad Wilkerson said with a laugh. ``I know my little girl loves it when he plays with her.''
There are two Expos employees who dress up in the Youppi costume, one for games and another for promotional appearances around Montreal. Neither person gives interviews.
Youppi! - a word that is the French equivalent to yippee or yay - has toned down his antics in recent years. There used to be a time where he would come out in costumes, such as a top hat and tails to do a waltz with a fan on top of the dugout.
He was also more belligerent back then, once getting tossed from a game after Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda complained about him banging on the roof of the visitors' dugout.
But these days, the mascot's routine is essentially limited to the occasional slide on the dugout after a stolen base, while most of his time is spent paying visits to fans in the stands or in the team's luxury boxes.
When asked what was his favourite moment while he was still an Expo, Florida Marlins pitcher Carl Pavano said: ``Watching Youppi fall off the dugout.''
Wilkerson said he's like to see Youppi! follow the Expos to Washington.
``It means a lot to have a mascot who's been around for so long,'' he said. ``(A new mascot) would be a change and it would be a sad day. A lot of kids come out just to see Youppi!.''