over the character's final seasons, shanahan suggested that jays management turned down multiple appearance requests for bj birdy. the raptor, mascot of the toronto raptors basketball team, was meanwhile gaining acclaim for his acrobatic routines. the jays noted the admiration for the nba team's "total entertainment package". the team had its second lowest opening day attendance in 1999, desperately trying to attract audiences. the "star" commented that the team's desperation was evident, suggesting that "the nadir probably reached when a van circled the field pulling a flatbed which bore b.j. birdy, a massive plastic rodent, two dancing bears and a man firing t-shirts into the stands with a bazooka."