Even though he’s now 56 years old and in semi-retirement, The Chicken still ranks first in Forbes magazine’s survey of 10 most-liked sports mascots. You may know him as the San Diego Chicken, The Famous Chicken, or just Ted Giannoulas, the man inside the costume. Although he is no longer affiliated with the Padres, Chicken has a 78.7 awareness score in the Forbes rankings.
That puts him ahead of No. 2, the Phillie Phanatic, followed by: Mr. Met; the Racing Sausages of the Milwaukee Brewers; The Gorilla of the Phoenix Suns; Benny the Bull of Chicago; Wally the Green Monster, who represents the Red Sox; Billy the Marlin; Rocky of the Denver Nuggets; and The Coyote of the San Antonio Spurs.
My personal Top 5 list, however, looks like this:
1. Blowie (Columbia Blowfish).
2. Keggy the Keg (Dartmouth University).
3. Henry the Puffy Taco (San Antonio Missions)
4. Mr. Celery (Wilmington Blue Rocks).
5. Boomer Beaver (Portland Beavers).
Salud!
***
San Diego’s Chicken top mascot [Honolulu Advertiser]
Without Feathers: The Famous Chicken May Retire [SportsbyBrooks]
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- BC - Apr 30, 2010 at 9:27 AM
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You left out an all-time classic:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Champmascot.JPG
Funniest story: I was at a Vermont Expos game sometime in the 90′s (let’s put it this way, Jay Payton was playing for the opposing team). Champ would come out three or four times a game and cruise around the warning track on a three-wheeler, he’d show up in the stands, etc. Well, about the 5th inning, no more Champ. Where’d he go? Next morning’s paper revealed the story – Champ had been served with a bench warrant during the game. Poor guy.
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- BC - Apr 30, 2010 at 9:40 AM
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This is actually pretty good as well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UCIrvineAnteaters.png
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- davidc45629 - Apr 30, 2010 at 10:57 AM
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The chicken’s reaction to the Raider forward fumble is and will aways be the greatest mascot act of ALL time. You younguns should check it on youtube
