ACE is the Toronto Blue Jays mascot. He’s a blue jay who has worked Blue Jays games since 2000, and his younger sidekick, Junior, joins him on game days.
In 2026, for the club’s 50th season, three old favorites came back as vintage mascots: BJ Birdy, the team’s first mascot; Diamond, ACE’s original partner; and Domer, the turtle created for SkyDome’s opening in 1989. For the rest of the league, see our MLB mascots list.
Blue Jays mascots at a glance
| Mascot | Original run | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BJ Birdy | 1979 to 1999 | The first Blue Jays mascot; back as a vintage mascot in 2026 |
| ACE | 2000 to today | The current mascot |
| Diamond | 2000 to 2003 | The club calls her one of MLB’s first female mascots; back in 2026 |
| Domer | from 1989 | SkyDome’s turtle mascot; back in 2026 |
| Junior | today | ACE’s younger sidekick |
BJ Birdy, the first Blue Jays mascot (1979 to 1999)
BJ Birdy debuted on September 11, 1979. He was created and performed by Kevin Shanahan, then a 20-year-old University of Toronto student who made costumes at Ontario Place. Shanahan was the only person to wear the costume in its 20 seasons, and he also drew a BJ Birdy comic strip that ran in the Toronto Star in 1985.
The Blue Jays let Shanahan and BJ Birdy go in 1999. At the time, the club called it a business decision.
The BJ Birdy copyright question
BJ Birdy came back in 2026 in a newly built costume. In April 2026, CBC News and the Toronto Sun reported that Shanahan says he still holds the copyright to the character and wasn’t contacted before the revival. He told CBC he had offered to sell the rights to the club in 1999, and the club declined. The Toronto Sun wrote that the asking price was reported to be around $150,000. It also reported that, after the two sides failed to agree, he was told not to show up for the final two games of the 1999 regular season.
In a statement to CBC, the Blue Jays said their intention “has always been to honour the legacy of BJ Birdy” and that they “remain eager to connect directly with Kevin.” In May 2026, a Toronto Star feature described Shanahan as having mixed feelings about BJ Birdy’s return. As of October 2026, we haven’t found reports of a lawsuit or a settlement.
ACE, Diamond and Junior (2000 to today)
ACE and Diamond, two blue jays, replaced BJ Birdy for the 2000 season. The club describes Diamond as one of MLB’s first female mascots. Diamond was dropped after the 2003 season. ACE remained as the team’s main mascot. Brennan Anderson, who brought a competitive gymnastics background to the role, performed ACE for five years, according to Wikipedia’s history of the team’s mascots.
Today ACE shares game days with Junior, his younger sidekick, who appears on Jr. Jays days.
The 2026 vintage mascots
For the 50th season, the Blue Jays brought back BJ Birdy, Diamond and Domer as vintage mascots. They appear alongside ACE and Junior on Jr. Jays Sundays, at Sunday and Monday home games and on select theme days, meeting fans on the concourse and joining the in-game entertainment.
Domer is the turtle created for SkyDome’s opening in June 1989. His shell stands for the stadium’s dome. The club describes him as “gentle, yet quick-witted and energetic.” Toronto’s other long-serving mascot is Carlton the Bear of the Maple Leafs, who debuted in 1995.
Blue Jays mascot FAQ
What is the Blue Jays mascot’s name?
ACE. He has been the Toronto Blue Jays mascot since 2000, and his sidekick Junior often joins him.
How much does the Blue Jays mascot make?
The only sourced pay figure we found comes from the club itself. Its 2025 casting call for ACE listed pay of $25,000 to $30,000 for a part-time, seasonal contract. Two performers split the 81 home games plus events and appearances. The posting didn’t state the currency.
Who was the first Blue Jays mascot?
BJ Birdy, who debuted on September 11, 1979, and was performed by his creator, Kevin Shanahan, until 1999.
Why did BJ Birdy come back in 2026?
The Blue Jays brought him back, along with Diamond and Domer, to celebrate the club’s 50th season.
Where can fans meet the Blue Jays mascots?
In 2026, BJ Birdy, Diamond and Domer appear alongside ACE and Junior on Jr. Jays Sundays, at Sunday and Monday home games and on select theme days.
Sources: Toronto Blue Jays, Vintage Mascots; CBC News, April 10, 2026; Toronto Sun, April 2026; Toronto Blue Jays casting call for ACE, 2025; Toronto Star, May 2026; Wikipedia, Toronto Blue Jays mascots. How we check facts: About page.