The New York Yankees debut a new mascot named Dandy. Dandy was designed by Wayde Harrison and Bonnie Erickson, who were behind the development of the Phillie Phanatic a year earlier. Dandy was a pear-shaped creature with Yankee pinstripes, a spinning hat, and a thick mustache similar to captain Thurman Munson. Fan reaction was lukewarm at best. The mascot was put on hiatus when Munson died in a plane crash on August 2nd.