Wally the Green Monster, also known as Wally, is the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox, a Major League Baseball team. He is a lovable green monster who has become an iconic figure in Red Sox culture. Wally made his debut in 1997, and since then, he has been a fan favorite at Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Red Sox. His name is a nod to the "Green Monster," the famous left-field wall at Fenway Park. Standing at 37 feet tall, the Green Monster is a defining feature of the stadium. Wally is a friendly and energetic creature who loves to interact with fans.
Understanding the History and Significance of ‘Hotty Toddy’
Rapper Snoop Dogg leads the Hotty Toddy cheer on the JumboTron inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at a football game in 2003.
While several Ole Miss traditions have gone the way of the dinosaur, one that continues to thrive from generation to generation is the use of the words “Hotty Toddy.”
Whether it’s the two words often used as a familiar signature to end emails or phone conversations or the chant shouted in response to the question “Are you ready?” at athletic events, one thing is for certain: Hotty Toddy and Ole Miss are inseparable.
The origins of the phrase remain a mystery. There’s no concrete answer that explains what “Hotty Toddy” truly means. Some speculate that it was developed after the Virginia Tech Regimantal Band called The Highty Tighties, derived from a cheer used throughout World War II, associated with the description of a warm alcoholic drink or a term referred to the perceived sentiment of the Ole Miss student body.
Actually as an Ole Miss reference, the first documented evidence of the phrase (then written as “Heighty! Tighty!”) appeared in the Nov. 19, 1926 copy of the Mississippian. That day, the following words appeared:
Heighty! Tighty!
Gosh A Mighty!
Who in the h—l are we?
Rim! Ram! Flim! Flam!
Ole Miss, by D—n!
Ever since, the cheer (with slightly differing spelling in the opening line) has been passed down by Rebel fans. ESPN’s Doug Ward wrote, “’Hotty Toddy’ is the spirit of Ole Miss,” which extends much farther than the Grove and at athletics. It only takes seeing an Ole Miss logo or design on a shirt, hat, etc. for two fellow Rebels to exchange “hotty toddy” to one another.
“Hotty Toddy” has also become synonymous with Ole Miss among the national media. ESPN’s SportsCenter, Erin Anderson, former Miss America Nina Davuluri and former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney have all tweeted it at least once in recent years. Celebrities like Russell Crowe, Snoop Dogg, Betty White, Sandra Bullock, Jack Black and others have lead the cheer via recorded video messages played in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium before Ole Miss football games.
Here’s what Ole Miss students had to say about “Hotty Toddy” a few years ago:
Hotty Toddy, everybody!!
What is a Hotty Toddy, and why do Ole Miss fans get so excited about it? (video)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - When Alabama and Ole Miss fans gather in Tuscaloosa for tomorrow night's matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Rebels, it's pretty realistic to say that one question will be repeated many times in the stands.
It will be shouted by the Ole Miss cheerleaders, to and from random fans across the parking lot and in plenty of other spots before and during the game.
It's a simple one: "Are you ready?"
And the response?
It's something that Bama fans might be tired of hearing after the tenth. or hundredth time.
When Ole Miss fans get the question asked of them, they respond with a cheer that is one of the most unique in college football traditions. (It also has more curse words per sentence than most, so it has been edited here for "safe at work and with your children" viewing.)
Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty,
Who The H*** Are We? Hey!
Flim Flam, Bim Bam
One of the best traditions in the SEC comes at home games in Oxford, when a random celebrity will appear on the jumbotron and ask the fans, "Are you ready?"
Like James Franco did so before the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State game last year:
But, what does it all mean? What is a "Hotty Toddy"?
There are a lot of different theories and stories, of course, as there are with most college football mascots, nicknames, cheers and traditions. The official Ole Miss athletic website doesn't even give an explanation for the origin of the cheer, so you have to search a little bit for any clues.
The first documented appearance of the cheer came in a November 19, 1925 edition of The Mississippian student newspaper. The phrase was written as "Heighty! Tighty!" and the cheer was worded a bit differently from today: "Heighty! Tighty! Gosh a Mighty! Who the h*** are we? Rim! Ram! Flim! Flam! Ole Miss, by D***"
After appearing in the paper, the phrase and cheer began creeping into conversation and eventually onto the football field.
It might also not be a coincidence that a "hot toddy" is an alcoholic drink (a warm drink of whiskey or brandy), and that the student body and fans enjoy quite a party atmosphere on The Grove in Oxford for home games.
Wherever it comes from, the phrase is something that Alabama fans can surely appreciate.
Similar to the all-purpose "Roll Tide" greeting, "Hotty Toddy" is a phrase that works for Ole Miss fans in all incarnations--a welcome, a "hey, y'all," a sign of excitement, a "how's it going?" and a sign of school pride. And all Ole Miss fans know what it means (although they might not really know what it "means").
ESPN's Doug Ward described it this way: "'Hotty Toddy' has no real meaning, but it means everything in Oxford. For students, fans and alumni, it is a greeting, cheer and secret handshake all rolled into one. 'Hotty Toddy' is the spirit of Ole Miss."
So, when you hear it in Tuscaloosa Saturday night for the hundredth time, don't groan. Stop and appreciate the tradition of it all.
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Wally is a friendly and energetic creature who loves to interact with fans. He can often be seen dancing, goofing around, and spreading cheer throughout the stadium. His playful personality and entertaining antics make him a hit with fans of all ages.
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Ole miss mascot hotty toddy
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As the mascot of the Red Sox, Wally is responsible for creating a fun and engaging atmosphere during games. He leads cheers, throws t-shirts into the crowd, and poses for pictures with fans. His presence adds an element of excitement and entertainment to the games. Wally is not just limited to Fenway Park. He also makes appearances at community events, charity functions, and school visits. He is beloved by Red Sox fans across New England and is a recognizable symbol of team spirit and community involvement. In conclusion, Wally the Green Monster is an integral part of the Boston Red Sox. With his playful personality and entertaining antics, he brings joy to fans of all ages. He is not just a mascot but also a symbol of team spirit and community engagement..
Reviews for "Wally's World: A Day in the Life of the Red Sox Mascot"
1. Samantha - 1 star
I found the Red Sox mascot, Wally the Green Monster, to be extremely distracting and annoying during the game. Instead of enhancing the experience, Wally seemed to constantly interrupt the action on the field with unnecessary antics. His constant jumping up and down, waving his arms, and trying to high-five everyone in the stands was incredibly irritating. I go to the game to watch the players and enjoy the sport, not to be entertained by an obnoxious mascot. I would prefer if Wally took a backseat and let the baseball game be the main attraction.
2. Mike - 2 stars
As a baseball purist, I was disappointed with the presence of Wally the Green Monster at the Red Sox games. I understand that mascots are meant to entertain the crowd, but Wally seemed to do more harm than good. His over-the-top behavior and constant shenanigans took away from the solemnity of the sport. The focus should be on the players and the game, not on a giant green monster dancing around in the stands. Personally, I believe the Red Sox organization should reconsider the role of mascots and whether they add real value to the baseball experience.
3. Emily - 1 star
Wally the Green Monster completely ruined my experience at the Red Sox game. I could barely pay attention to the game with his constant loudness and distraction. The giant green furry creature was jumping around, trying to get everyone's attention, blocking my view, and making it impossible to enjoy the game in peace. The whole concept of mascots in baseball seems unnecessary and takes away from the actual sport. I hope the Red Sox reconsider the role of Wally and focus on the game itself, rather than trying to entertain the crowd with a silly distraction.