Well, there is a simple explanation for the discrepancy. We were using his real name, Boudaboum, while most everyone else was only familiar with his stage name, Badaboum. You see, Boudaboum actually changed his name shortly after graduating from college in order to avoid being confused with Stanley Boudaboum, the inventor of the modern-day turkey baster. So, to end the confusion, we will from here on out refer to him by his stage name, Badaboum, since that is the moniker the majority of the public is most familiar. With that out of the way, we can now proceed with the search update.
 Badaboum, our hero |
The past two weeks have turned up few leads in our quest to discover the whereabouts of Badaboum, the former mascot of the Quebec Nordiques. Hopes were high on Saturday, December 28, when a report came in that Badaboum was actually spotted in Sudbury, Ontario, pumping gas. Unfortunately, or luckily depending on your regard for gas station employees, this report was proven false. Apparently in an attempt to stay warm, the employee in question wrapped himself in thick, blue shag carpeting before braving the harsh Canadian climate. From a distance he was easily mistaken for Badaboum, but upon closer examination was obviously not our missing hero. The search continued.
Three days later, on New Year's Eve, our own Matthew Secosky believed he witnessed Badaboum break into his house and steal a radish. Of course, Matthew's testimony was crippled by the fact that he had just emptied two cases of Colt 45 and also swore to seeing the original cast of "What's Happening" performing the musical "Oklahoma!" in his kitchen. We believed his story at first, until we remembered that the cast of "What's Happening" always preferred "The Music Man" over "Oklahoma!".
While we did not uncover any new leads, we did have the chance to talk to another friend from Badaboum's past... none other than Sabretooth, the mascot of the Buffalo Sabres. Sabretooth was eager to talk about the profound effect Badaboum had on himself, and the entire mascot community in general.
"A lot of people forget what it was like back then for us mascots. I mean the early 80s was a time of tremendous change in how mascots were treated," remembered Sabretooth. "It wasn't always like it is today. There was a time when we were considered second-class citizens."
Yes, during the 70s and early 80s the life of a mascot was not an easy one. Often relegated to the back of the bus on road trips and not allowed to even stay in the same hotels as players, mascots often felt isolated and alone. Things began to change for the mascot profession with the San Diego Chicken's explosion of popularity during this time. Or at least that's how it looked on the surface.
"Yeah, the Chicken was doing some great work back then and he was the first to breakthrough, but he left everyone else behind," explained Sabretooth "Oh sure, he had the fancy cars and the big houses and the beautiful women, but he sold out in order to get those things. He became too commercial. He forgot that it was supposed to be about entertaining the crowds, not the money."
 Sabretooth remembers Badaboum |
So while the Chicken and a few other baseball mascots, like the Philly Fanatic, did cross over into the mainstream, the majority of mascots were left to fend for themselves. It was especially hard on the hockey mascots, since the league was still seen as a regional sport at the time and got little press south of the Canadian border. Without respect from the media and fans, how could the mascots expect to get respect from the players? Well, that was all about to change with the arrival of Badaboum.
"I wasn't there in person on the night when Badaboum made his debut with the Nordiques, but it was definitely a monumental night in the lives of all mascots," stated Sabretooth. "Nothing was ever the same after that."
The story, which is now legendary around the mascot community, is that Badaboum's routines were so awe-inspiring that night at Le Colisee in Quebec that afterwards players and coaches from both teams went out of their way to shake his paw after the game. That was just unheard of. The Nordiques even allowed Badaboum into the locker room afterwards and reportedly took him out drinking later that night. The barrier between mascots and players was broken.
Soon visiting teams would be so impressed by Badaboum that they would return home to see their own club's mascot in a different light. It wasn't long before Sabretooth noticed a change.
"I remember the first time the boys came back from visiting Le Colisee. The next day when I showed up for work a few of them actually spoke to me. Well, they had always spoke to me, but this was the first time that profanity wasn't used to embarrass and belittle me to the delight of the immediate onlookers. And no one pulled my jersey over my head and kicked me in the balls. Yeah, that was nice, not getting kicked in the balls..."
Despite his enormous popularity, Badaboum did not sit idly by while his mascot brethren were mistreated. He spoke out whenever possible about the plight of his fellow peers, even traveling around to other NHL cities during the off-season to give lectures on the subject in an attempt to educate the public and raise awareness. The seriousness of the subject matter would have driven away most crowds, but Badaboum always mixed his message of tolerance with plenty of dancing and other trademark antics. Not only did all in attendance leave with the knowledge of the mascots' struggles in their hearts and minds, they also left with a smile on their face.
By this time Badaboum was so highly respected around the league that he had no trouble at all bringing in crowds for his speaking engagements. Normally a mascot of few words, when Badaboum did speak people listened. It didn't take long before his barnstorming tours created a never before seen level of equality for all mascots.
"What he did was really something special. It would have been easy for him to cash in on his popularity and forget about us, but that just wasn't in his nature," said Sabretooth. "He was just such a caring big blue freak. Without him I really have no idea where I, or any hockey mascots for that matter, would be today."
Badaboum may be gone, but his legacy lives on. Every time a mascot gets greeted with a handshake and a smile, Badaboum is there. Every time a mascot gets cheered by an arena full of adoring fans, Badaboum is there. And every time a player thinks twice before kicking a mascot in the balls, Badaboum is there.
Now more than ever I hope you see why it is so important that Badaboum be found and returned to his noble profession. If you won't listen to us, then listen to Sabretooth.
"Hockey misses Badaboum. The mascot profession misses Badaboum. I miss Badaboum. He has to be found. Plus, I think he still owes me 20 bucks from a skiing trip we went on. But really, I don't even care about the money. Honest... the important thing is that we find Badaboum... and that he has his wallet at the time."
So, please, LCS is begging you, our valued readers, to help in our search for Badaboum. This is something that we have to do. If not us, who? If not now, when?
If you have any information on the current whereabouts of Badaboum, or if you would just like to share your memories of him, please send email to us at sportif@oak.westol.com
Thank you. And godspeed, Badaboum, wherever you are...
