Youppi traded photo: Courtesy of the Montreal Expos

Youppi thrilled big crowds back in the '80s doing wheelies in the Big O outfield riding his ATV, posing for photographs with tens of thousands of children, and once getting thrown out of a game after infuriating L.A. Dodgers skipper Tommy Lasorda.

On Monday, Expos VP Claude Delorme - wrapping up the Expos' accounting in the team's old Olympic Stadium offices - confirmed MLB will sell Youppi to a Montreal business.

"I thought it was a natural opportunity to leave something behind," Delorme told Hour this week. "I can't confirm who we've retained so far because of legal issues and trademarks. The Expos logo, which is on Youppi's cap and jersey, will be owned by the new owners [of the Washington Nationals] and we're not in the position to transfer those [yet]."

ESPN reports the Montreal Canadiens want to purchase Youppi. Delorme declined to say who the buyer is and the Habs director of communications Domenic Saillant told Hour, "If it were happening I'd know about it and I don't."

Delorme also declined to say how much Youppi will be sold for (ESPN reports the sale price is in the "six figures" range), but confirms the money will not go to charity, Baseball Quebec or the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (which last month was given the bronze busts of the 27 Expos Hall of Famers). "The financial component will go back to the [Nationals]," Delorme says.

Expect an announcement by spring training. "I think it'll happen within two weeks to two months, and sooner rather than later," Delorme says.

















 
 

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Yes we ARE supposed to give a damn     It's a shame that this loveable mascot is for sale. As much as he was a baseball mascot, entertaining the fans and the kids at the Big O, Youppi was also an important community member. A known figure. I remember when I was just a kid and I played little league baseball, and a few times did he come around, to please us. To make a bunch of kids playing baseball feel like they were doing something special. Like they were part of something greater. I saw him many time in the Expos caravan, in hospitals or in many charities giving his time. His role has extended to far more than from just being the circus clown during ball games in front of far-from-stellar crowds at the Olympic Stadium. No matter who was under the costume, I never saw any worker personnifying him refuse to sign an autograph, take a picture or shake a hand. You think I'm taking this too far ? I think not. When you're a kid, you need something to hope for, something to dream about. Do you see many artists or sports stars take the time to go and meet with the future of the sport, the future of society ? Nada. The ones we are supposed to look up to as role models are a bunch of self-centered arrogant jack***es. Where are the hockey players now ? Oh yeah, they're in Europe. So yeah, we're supposed to give a damn. I hope somebody makes a pitch at keeping him here, especially the Montreal Canadiens. Maybe not in the 6 figures, but a fair pitch. Even for those who don't like mascots all that much, I much prefer see him between the periods than those Britney Spears wannabees selling Energie Cardio or those annoying announcers trying to pump the crowd up to no avail. From my perspective, it warms my heart when I see a young kid, a sick kid, having a smile on his face because of the visit of a mascot. It shows how it doesn't take much. And what's saddening is that nobody cares about anything anymore. Let me ask you, except complaining and moaning, what have YOU done to make things better ?
Sebastien Behnan	{27 votes}	February 8th, 2005
Get over it     I'm glad to hear that other people want Youppi to stay in his hometown, but I must say I am surprised! Judging by responses on and off the hour it seems that most people would rather block out anything that reminds them of a team that fell short too many times from what seemed like certain victory at the time. Ninety percent of Montreal would rather see a wrecking ball demolish that gruesome horrid reminder of a building occupying our skyline to the east, then use it for events that would pay off debt. I personally think the Raelians should use it as a landing pad for their "visitations", that would generate tremendous interest and revenue! But seriously .. I enjoyed watching the Expos play, and I think we should be less ashamed of our fatefully departed team. Even though the 1994 strike robbed them of certain victory, we know they deserved to be crowned league champions.
Jesse Stacey	{9 votes}	February 8th, 2005
Screw it, please!     Youppi, so far, never appealled to me although I used to be a baseball fan. In real life, Youppi used to represent the tacky side of baseball, which has much more to do with a family concept where kids are taken care of while daddy is watching the game. Youppi, in other words, was a kids trap for daddy's sake watching heroes playing the game, a beer in his hands... Everybody in Montréal is aware of the long-lasting and painful decline our local baseball team during the last 10 years, a period in which several individuals have been involved to discredit the town in the eyes of the Major Baseball League. The job was performed well enough to finally convince baseball authorities that Montréal is no baseball town. The same town that gave Jackie Robinson, a Black player, his first chance. The same town that used to fill the Big O to the top with an attendance of over 60 000 people when there was a real team on the field. Now that the Expos are gone, please, leave to the Washington Nationals with the left-overs. And that includes Youppi, the little monster that has no voice (why? even le Bonhomme Carnaval has a voice of his own!). Even for free I would not want to have Youppi on my way. Kids have better example to follow that this mute so-call charming entertainer...
Alain Gauthier	{30 votes}	February 5th, 2005
Misuse of Mascot Monies     It's only natural that our beloved mascot Youppi remain in Montreal. He is synonymous with bringing a smile to our collective face. But it's the proceeds garnered from his projected purchase, by local interests, that is most irksome. Why should a corporate tax payer, operating in Canada's poverty capital, contribute to building the wealth of the Washington Nationals by purchasing Youppi. These proceeds should also remain on this side of the border -either in the form of a tithe to charity, as a contribution to an ailing infrastructure, education, hospitals...the list of potential benefactors is infinite. Afterall, Youppi was born in Montreal. We created him. How much longer do we have to pay for our dearly departed baseball franchise? They were whining, overpaid professional athletes when they were here. Now they're still bleeding us dry from beyond the border. They're no field of dreams. They expected us to go bankrupt while they built a new ball park. We have homeless people living on our streets and the working poor struggling to pay the rent. Stop mooching off our avails. Let us keep the small change from this sale in our pockets. You have a new daddy now.
Heather Lee	{27 votes}	February 4th, 2005
The Expos sell Youppi...and we're supposed to give a damn?     The Montreal Expos' beloved mascot Youppi has been sold. Let's put aside that I think that this is a bullshit topic to devote any print space to, let's ponder the grander picture here. Youppi, whether you like him or not, is the intellectual and *more importantly* the spiritual property of the Expos. Take off the cap and jersey, stip him of the logos and he's *still* the Expos' Youppi. Imagine if McDonald's was taken apart and sold off in pieces wouldn't Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese and the rest of them still bleed and scream the spirit of that place? Even with some cosmetic alterations they would still be the traded mascots of a fast food joint. Of course, Ronald and the gang are more recognizable mascots with better defined functions than our sad fat orange goofball. I know he's a mascot, so he doesn't necessarily need to be or have to look like anything in particular but I find it hard to give rat's ass about this given the team he represented was spectacular in its ability to not distinguish itself in any notable way. What? I respect a lot of the players, some more than others, but the team itself was a sad joke located at a sad stadium. The approprite thing is let the mascot drift off into oblivion. Or not. Really, who the hell cares? Last I heard the team itself was still in a state of limbo so excuse me while I prioritize my interests. I'm a hockey fan, this is a hockey city, even if there is no season you won't rope me into suddenly caring about a baseball mascot to a team we don't even have. Youppi being sold qualifies as news, does it? In a fluffy world that has nothing better to do maybe...
Pedro Eggers	{26 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
BOITE DE COLLECTION YOUPPI     I HAVE A YOUPPI EXPOS GIVE AWAY AND I'M WONDERING IS THERE ANY INFORMATION ON IT OR WHERE I CAN LOOK IT UP? thank you JEERY REED
JERRY REED		May 11th, 2010
Gone but not forgotten, or who lives under there anyway?     The truth be known I never really cared for that oversized man /animal or a combo of the two. I would go out to the games at the Big "O" and at first I would track him down so that my kids could get a better look. My one and only son who loves the expos oh so much. Got up close alright to this SASQUATCH who turns to him bends down to shake his hand and my 3 year old at the time bursts into tears and says I scarred of Owang Munster. So you can see my son has formed the same opinion as me. So I should be thrilled he is being sold you would think. But I have reflect over the years and no one can deny that he was there greatest supporter even when less then 5000 people showed he inspired and encouraged and cheered so to sell him is a sin and youppi must be immortalized in the hall of fame as our greatest fan.
Michael Levine	{3 votes}	February 25th, 2005
Youppi Exploitation     Hmmm, Youppi as a commodity? Sounds like some sort of mascot slave trade to me...lol. Well I suppose if there's a buck to be made (or rather hundreds of thousands), then a deal will be done. It just feels like yet another indignity that us poor suffering one-time Expos fans will have to endure as the kind and gentle soul that is Youppi becomes slave to the Man. These Nationals sure know how to rub salt in an open wound, now don't they?
Mark St Pierre		February 17th, 2005
Youppi is gone and not forgotten     Our beloved Mascot has been sold and we will miss him because he was the mascot that bought everybody joys at the Olympic stadium whether the Expos lost a game or won a game. He was the mascot that always put a smile on everyone's face when they were down. Youppi will always be remembered as the mascot who loved everyone and was a cheerful mascot and one of the best in baseball. Youppi's price tag is priceless because you get more than what you paid for. I'm still glad to hear that Youppi will stay in Montreal for a very long time. We will never forget Youppi.
Carmela Sicurella		February 13th, 2005
Montreal Sports Museum     Youppi as part of the sports history of Montreal belongs in a museum together with home plate, base pads, jerseys of important stars, and finally the baseballs and basebats that signified important milestones. I myself have collected autographed baseball cards from many Montreal Expos players and even won a Montreal Expos jersey courtesy of SuperClub Videotron which I will always cherish! We need to build a sports museum that would attract a lot of tourists to this exciting city. Even the small town of Cooperstown has one! The Maurice Richard exhibit near the Viau Metro Station could be moved to the new sports museum. Recently the McCord Museum had an exhibit on sports activities in the Montreal of yesteryear which I found fascinating but it is now gone. We need to have a reminder of baseball in Montreal that we can show our children and grandchildren. We should get busy!
Stephen Talko	{2 votes}	February 10th, 2005
Something To Left Behind     Wow, I would feel better off if Youppy was gone for ever. It's not like the Expos departure from Montreal will be a good souvenir anyhow. So why would some corporation try to remember us our failure by using Youppi. I just don't get it. Using Youppi in Montreal now would be like going out with your ex best friend in her face while she's still in love with you. Something that no good can get out of in the end. Of course Youppi would have live in Montreal baseball fan memories. But now, it will be a shame to see the huge orange mascots if it's employed. I'll grant you I have never been aware of a Montreal Canadiens mascots, but I see no reason why the Habs should use left over from a death team when they are one of professionnal sports most storyed franchise.
Nicolas Gauthier	{3 votes}	February 10th, 2005
Used Goods     Buying or Selling a Mascot that is known as another "products" "logo" is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Who the hell wants to buy Youpi? Six Digits? COME ON! He is ugly, stupid, and now signifies a worthless team that sold out to the US, changed its name and renounced its history. Youpi should be ripped to shreds, burned, and forgotten. or, if sold... its a fucking slap in the face for the profits to go to a US owned franchise...let alone anything that isn't based in Montreal at the very least....and, here's to hoping, a charitable organization. God knows, we are stripping away everything that isn't nailed down and selling it away... First the Expos, now Molson breweries and even stupid stinky Youpi... Its like we have no shame. But, again, who would buy USED GOODS such as a Mascot, the definition of Mascot implies an image used as representation for a company etc., so, why would you pay good money for one that forever will be associated with a company that isn't yours? Wouldn't it be more cost-effective to develop your own Mascot? catering to your particular market etc? I dunno...its a stupid mess any way you look at it.
Larissa Dutil	{7 votes}	February 9th, 2005
Who'll get the last laugh ?     There are two ways of looking at this story. First, there is something odd about keeping a well-known mascot when the sports team it used to embody is gone to another city. What's the point of keeping Youppi if there is no more Expos playing in Montreal. Of course, he could always be used to promote baseball in neighbourhood ball parks, but this is surely not as glamorous as making his antics at the Olympic Stadium. The other way of looking at things is to say that, as tacky as the idea of having a team mascot might sound, Jeffrey Loria and his cronies didn't get their hands on all what the Expos represented. And long after the Washington Generals have gone (it shouldn't take long, without a stadium), maybe the guy in the orange suit will have the last laugh...
Sylvain Provost	{1 vote}	February 8th, 2005
Another sign of the impending armageddon?     Well, perhaps not, But I've still proudly kept my collection of litte, plastic Youppi! figurines, complete in its cardboard collector's case - anyone remember those? I think they were from Esso... My fav was always Youppi! the Fireman... Youppi! was harly just a 'kid trap' - he was the essence of FUN, his antics were always smile-inducing, and a hug from him would lift the spirits of any kid - I remember going to the Big Owe as a wee strapping laddie and refusing to leave unless I got at least one hug from him. While that may possibly explain a lot about my current psyche, I'll simply say I'm gonna miss that aspect of baseball as much as I'll miss the 'product' on the field. At least he's staying behind! Youppi! is dead! Long Live Youppi!!
Ben Kalman	{1 vote}	February 8th, 2005
Who gives a damn about Youppi?     Larry Walker. Moises Alou. John Wetteland. Ken Hill. Vlad Guerrero. Randy Johnson. Marquis Grissom. Pedro Martinez. Countless others. These are players that, if a) the Expos' management and b) the Expos' fans had supported the damn team in the first place, would have possibly stayed in Montreal and been part of a dynasty. The 1994 Expos were a team that was running roughshod over the NL, just smoking teams like they were honey-dipped Philly blunts. It is a testament to the few brilliant minds that used to be part of the Expos that they even came close, and it is, or should be, the shame of a city and its former baseball execs that it all fell apart like a house of cards... ...and you're going to talk about Youppi? Who gives a fuck? The damage is done. It was done from years and years of poor support from all sides. That Youppi is going to be gone too means nothing to most, and, if it means something to anyone, I'd ask them to ask themselves why. The 1994 Expos might have won the World Series if the strike didn't happen. And they weren't even given a chance after that. But wouldn't that have been great? Wouldn't that have been just incredible? And do you think that anyone would have cared about the bloody mascot while celebrating? No. Fuck Youppi. I'm glad he's gone. One less reminder of what might have been.
John Goodwin	{5 votes}	February 5th, 2005
Who cares?     What's the big deal? We've already lost the team so who cares if we keep the mascot? Like this is supposed to mean something. Burn it, bury it, just do something and move on already. This is so stupid I don't even know why we're even talking about it. So Youppi is staying in the city, as if this was a substitute for winning one world series.
Vladimir Joseph	{6 votes}	February 4th, 2005
The only thing Washington won't get     So Youppi is not traveling to the States. Are they so afraid that many terrorists could be hiding in his costume? Do they think he's a Middle Eastern man? Are they afraid he will follow the same route as le Bonhomme Carnaval and become unionized once he reaches Washington? Or is it they can't prononce Youppi? That they'd rather call him Yep. For several years, Youppi was the only good thing about attending a game at the big O. Thankfully, we get to keep him.
Marc Charette	{6 votes}	February 4th, 2005
Very sad     A few months ago I saw Youppi at Place Versailles signing autographs for children. I couldn't help but feel a sense of grief as I watched this once-adored mascot be used for such a silly media event. Of course, tv cameras were there to capture those very "special", "heart-warming" moments to be shared with our city. A city that once had a love affair with the team and the mascot. Just the idea of having a baseball team in our city was enough to make many people proud. It was almost as if he was there for a final goodbye. A final farewell to a city that once was filled with adoring fans...
Claudia Melchiorre	{5 votes}	February 4th, 2005
Yeah!!!!!     I am so happy that Youppi is staying in Montreal! He loves it here! He is a baseball fan, that's for sure. But his true passion is the city of Montreal! It wouldn't be right if he left! I hope it is the Al's who bought him. It seems more fitting than the Habs. I can't see Youppi in the Bell Center. Besides, hockey might be dead. With the Al's he is outside, where he can drive his 4 wheeler, and make people happen. And maybe they will even give him some pants!
Eric Wilson	{4 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
Some Great Memories Of Youppi     I've had some really good memories meeting Youppi over the years that I have been going to the Olympic Stadium watching out beloved Expos play baseball. Youppi is the best mascot in all of sports and putting a price tag on him is impossible because he is priceless. One of the fondest memories that I have of Youppi is when Tommy Lasorda threw him out of the baseball game, which went to 21 innings back in 1989. I also remember one time there was the Alouettes Cheerleaders at an Expos game and Youppi was taking pictures with all the cheerleaders and he must have been the luckiest mascot on the planet.
Gerry Samson	{2 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
There are some things money can't buy...     I don't know about you but I have a weird feeling about this. I have never been a big baseball fan or anything but Youppi has always been part of my cultural environment. I know what some of you will say, "cultural" is not the word. But even if sport teams are there to make money and mascots part of the sales pitch, I'll have a hard time seeing Youppi helping to sell used cars or the likes. Am I crazy to think that we should give the poor "guy" some respect? It's probably just me.
Andrée-Anne Lambert	{9 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
10 Years Down The Toilet.......     Andre Dawson,Gary Carter, Tim Wallach, Tim Raines, Rusty Staub, Andre Gallaraga, Spaceman Lee......and many other characters all have become just dust in a void left when the Montreal Expos left town. Who can forget the Olympic Stadium crumble when parts of the outside of the building fell due to faulty construction from a rumoured rush job to put the building up years before for Quebec's hosting of the Olympics so very long ago. Jerry Park was a suitable home for the Expos as well but as we saw players rising up through the ranks of Triple A Ball and eventually making the big clubs, Montreal Expos owners never had deep enough pockets to compete with American teams who offered their best players huge salaries. Too bad so sad...Les Expos ne font pu Youpi...............
Steve Landry	{6 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
Youppi being sold     It closes another chapter on baseball in Montreal. It's too bad MLB decided to screw the people of Montreal out of baseball. What do they expect for the fans if they care? The closest full season Minor League team is the Expos' former affiliate in Ottawa, and they are talking of moving that team soon to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania because of declining attendance; the closest team period is the Nationals' short season class A team in the New York-Penn League in Burlington, Vermont. Should the baseball fans who want to see Major League Baseball have to travel to Toronto, Boston, or even New York City? I was up in Montreal in September of 2003 to see an Expos game against Atlanta. Even though Olympic Stadium was cavernous with a crowd of around 9500 in a 55,000 seat stadium, I enjoyed myself there at the game and in the city of Montreal, even though I do not speak a word of French. Is it the economy that is causing the sports teams in Canada to be hurting? I don't know. I hope that Montreal gets another chance sometime down the road.
Ken Myers	{9 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
Bye Youppi!     I have to say I have no sad feelings about Youppi being sold. More importantly, I want to know, where will this large six-figure amount go? Maybe it can be used to help demolish the Olympic Stadium that has caused Montrealers so much grief and money throughout the years. I hope whichever team receives Youppi is not plagued with the same outcome as the Expos.
Heath Abram	{3 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
Bittersweet     Although it will be weird not seeing Youppi with the Expos apparel, it's great that our mascot stays in his hometown. Unfortunately all the proceeds will go to a stupid expansion team that seriously needs to get it act together and show a little more love for a MLB team. I mean they're given a team on a silver platter that could only get better and we have to give them the profits to own our beloved Youppi? Puh-lease. I wonder if the proceeds of the last hot dog auctioned on ebay will go to the Natioanls too! The Expos are dead...long live the Expos!
Ronny Pangia	{2 votes}	February 3rd, 2005
Yippee for Youppi !     6 figures for Youppi ? You have got to be kidding me !!! Now- 6 figures for Bonhomme Carnival - I can see. Even though he's just basically a crazed living SNOWMAN - he seems representative of something. Youppi on the other hand, has never really seemed to be more to me than a guy in a suit ( yes Virginia- Youppi is just a guy in a suit, stupid kid !!! ) - he's never seemed to have any personality other than simply being annoying and furry. Of course - maybe this was the people behind the EXPO's fault. A group that couldn't promote baseball in this town - couldn't be blamed for doing absoltely nothing with the mascot now could they ?
Rob Postuma	{1 vote}	February 4th, 2005
Youppi!     I'm glad to hear that Youppi will stay in Montreal. It's sad enough that the Expos moved to Washington. Youppi is part of our history. We grew up with him. I just hope the mascot gets to stay in the sports business. Can you imagine Youppi representing a restaurant or a commercial branch? It would be so ridiculous.
Chantal Valade	{2 votes}	February 3rd, 2005

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