Photo by SANDI FAHY
(from left) Derek Cheetah, Harry Canary and Ken Giraffey, Jr. are among the 30 giant inflatable animal characters that you may encounter at baseball games and other sporting events throughout the country in the coming year. The ZOOperstars mascots are based on famous athletes or famous people in sports. They range in height from 6 to 15 ft. Their costumes weigh about 35 lbs. Cow Ripken, Jr., Tiger Woodschuck, Mario Lemule, Shaquille O'Seal, Shark McGwire, Mackerel Jordan, Clammy Sosa and Mia Hammster are some of the other characters created by the Louisville-based Z00perstars company. The McGwire mascot sports a vibrating fin.
