Orioles RF Albert Belle "plans no events to drum up
interest" in his "Slugger Cereal," and "he snapped" at a TV
broadcaster who was eating the cereal in the dugout for a
story, according to Jon Morgan of the Baltimore SUN. Global
Sports & Promotions Owner Grant Dinner, who put the deal
together, said, "Of course, on the promoter side, I would
love Albert to go out to all the retailers and sample it,
but that's not who he is." Terry Belle, Belle's business
manager and brother, said that he "doesn't think" sales of
"Slugger Cereal" and Cal Ripken Jr.'s cereal "Cal's Classic
O's" will hurt each other. Belle: "I think all Baltimore
fans will eat Albert's in the morning and snack on Cal's in
the afternoon." Global Sports & Promotions will also launch
cereals for Indians LF David Justice in Cleveland and for
the late Roberto Clemente in Pittsburgh (SUN, 4/29).
MORE DEALS FOR SAMMY? After Cubs RF Sammy Sosa signed a
three-year endorsement deal with Telemundo TV, the MIAMI
HERALD's Mimi Whitefield wrote that "talks are under way for
automobile, footwear, Internet, and soft drink" endorsement
deals for Sosa. In addition, his reps are in talks with
companies "like Goya Foods that have a major presence in the
Hispanic market" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/28).
