Steely McBeam is latest in long line of troubled mascots

[Jeremy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...mascots/080411

Unfortunately, mascots finding trouble is nothing new in the sports world.



With this week's revelation that Pittsburgh Steelers mascot Steely McBeam is in some legal hot water, Page 2 asks you to peruse the police lineup above and identify the real bad apple.





Mariner Moose: During a 9-2 Mariners loss to the Red Sox on Aug. 5, 2007, the Seattle mascot nearly ran over Boston outfielder Coco Crisp with an ATV. Crisp was clipped on the knee by the vehicle and staggered momentarily, but didn't fall, according to the Seattle Times. Crisp believed the incident wasn't intentional. "I'm sure he didn't mean to try and take me out," Crisp told the Times. "I was fortunate enough to react fast enough to get out of the way." Although no charges of attempted assault or reckless driving were filed, it's not the first time the Moose escaped a potential ATV-related citation. Back in 1995, while inline-skating behind his ATV, he crashed into the outfield wall at the Kingdome, breaking his ankle.



Stanford Tree: The Cardinal mascot was disciplined for drinking from a flask and blowing a .157 blood-alcohol level into a Breathalyzer during Stanford's 65-62 road loss to archrival Cal on Feb. 9, 2006. But that wasn't necessarily the worst incident of the Tree's career. In 1997, the sapling was banned for two years from ESPN.com's Battle of the Mascots tournament for hacking into the voting database and fixing the results.



Steely McBeam: The Steelers' mascot has been charged with drunken driving after being pulled over in January with a blood alcohol level more than double the legal limit. McBeam is scheduled to be arraigned on May 23. Page 2 was unable to verify reports that McBeam also tested positive for rust, iron coke and silver polish.



Phillie Phanatic: The Phanatic hugged a man too vigorously at the opening of a paint store in 1994, causing back injuries and, ultimately, a $2.5 million lawsuit judgment. He also famously provoked Tommy Lasorda to fight by attacking an effigy of the Dodgers manager in 1988.

Benny Bull: The furry mascot of the six-time NBA champions allegedly shot T-shirts from a pressurized air gun on April 1 at Celtics players James Posey and Kevin Garnett, who had to be restrained. The Bulls deny Benny's involvement, but we remain suspicious because of the Bulls' dubious mascot history. Benny was charged with misdemeanor battery after allegedly punching an off-duty police officer who ordered him to stop riding a mini-motorbike at the Taste of Chicago event on July 2, 2006. Benny's predecessor, "Da Bull," was sentenced to 1? years probation for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver in 2005.

[fansince'76]

Duplicate thread: http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=24500