The Story

This page is dedicated to Dandy.

Who??

In the summer of 1979, the New York Yankees—the most storied franchise in professional sports—introduced a mascot named Dandy. He appeared briefly, then disappeared. By 1981, he was gone. No announcement. No explanation. 

Until now.

I know what happened—because I was Dandy.

For the first time, the full story of the Yankees’ forgotten mascot is being revealed. I’ve written a book about my life as Dandy, titled The Invisible Yankee: The Untold Story of the New York Yankees’ Forgotten Mascot, which has been released.

My story is a quirky dive into the short‑lived career of Dandy, the New York Yankees’ mascot, bringing to light a whimsical chapter in MLB history that the Yankees would likely not admit to. It has been described as a playful yet meticulously researched story that uncovers the curious origins and ultimate disappearance of baseball’s most elusive mascot.

Hi Rick. Loved the book, The Invisible Yankee. It was poignant, funny and a bit sad but that gave your story the heart it needs and deserves. So well done. — Dave Raymond, The Phille Phanatic

BRAVO! You told an interesting story about Dandy's short life, relating the story as if we were sitting together having a beer while you spun your yarn. You showed your humor and humility, and anyone interested in sports promotion or mascots would learn a lot from your book, contrasting the success of the Chicken and the Phanatic with the sad demise of Dandy. I certainly enjoyed it, and read the book in only two sittings. — John C.

I enjoyed your book! Your description of the charity event at the Felt Forum really puts the reader right there on the stage! I found your writing style extremely easy to read, as if you’re talking directly to the reader. That is a gift, Rick. Well done! — Len D.

This page is your gateway into a hidden chapter of Yankees history. Here, you’ll find rare, never-before-seen Photographs taken on the field at the old Yankee Stadium in August of 1979 by my brother, Madison Ford, co-founder of Midcoast Studio in Detroit. You can also visit the Signature Gallery, featuring a one-of-a-kind “Name the Mascot” contest poster signed by six Hall of Famers, several legendary Yankees, and a few surprises you may find interesting. 

Dandy’s story has already reached a global audience. ESPN’s newsmagazine show E:60 devoted its first-ever episode to “The Forgotten Yankee,” which debuted in 2018 and went on to become a viral sensation. A feature segment later aired on PIX11. Mascot Links will take you to a page of videos, articles, and additional information about Dandy.

Lastly, if you’d like to purchase a copy of The Invisible Yankee for yourself or a Yankee fan, please click the link below. The price of the book is $24.99 plus shipping and any applicable tax. Thank you for your interest in this long-overlooked piece of Yankees history!