Oriole Bird gets a nest in Mascot Hall of Fame

By Doug Miller

Orioles

December 12, 2019, 5:52am

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The overgrown avian who has danced countless times on the dugout roof at Camden Yards to the strains of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" will now have a second home.

The Mascot Hall of Fame, devoted to the living cartoons who entertain at sporting events of all kinds, will induct The Oriole Bird this summer. The news came last night at the Whiting, Ind., museum's Fur Tie Fundraiser.

The hall's class of 2020, voted in by the museum's directors, its members and the public at large in October, will also include Youppi! of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League, Boomer from the National Basketball Association's Indiana Pacers, and Blue, the horsey mascot of the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts.

The Oriole Bird, who has been entertaining Charm City baseball fans since opening day in 1979 at Memorial Stadium, was one of 10 finalists. They also included the Milwaukee Brewers' Bernie Brewer, and T.C. Bear, who represents the Minnesota Twins.

Induction ceremonies at the Mascot Hall of Fame take place June 12-15, 2020.