From a phrase uttered by Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley: “Get the duck out of your butt.” Utley told manager Charlie Manual to get the duck out during a recent playoff game when things were not going well.

Basically asking him to Relax.

A light bulb with a devilish smile went off and the Phillies’ coach ordered specially designed ducks for each player’s locker as they prepare tonight’s first game of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays in hopes of easing the tension. Some duck’s matched players personalities better than others, like Brett Myers, a fan of heavy metal music got one with skulls on it.

Rubber duckies have come a long way since Ernie had us singing along on Sesame Street. They are now made of non-phthalate PVC…a non toxic lead free silicone-like material, unlike those actual ‘rubber’ ducks we use to suck on as children.

Kikkerland Design is now the exclusive distributor in North America of the Australian based Bud Luxury Ducks. There are currently twenty-six different styles to help you relax at Kikkerland retailers across the country.

And who would know better about selling ducks than the Kikkerland retailer Ducky Shop at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN., one of Memphis’ most popular attractions. The Peabody Ducks march to and from the Grand Lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. in a time-honored tradition dating back to 1933. They carry many styles of Luxury Ducks, Aroma Ducks and Kikkerland Quacky Keychains.

More retailers include Miami Art Museum of Dade; Design Warehouse in Sante Fe, NM; General Home Store in East Hampton, NY; Kid Dynamo, Berkeley, CA.