Names & Faces: Carlos Lee Resonating Well In Houston

In Houston, David Barron reports the Astros are selling $30 models of a stick horse at their Miller Park stores inspired by fan Danny Quijada and his group “Los Caballitos” (Spanish for “hobby horses”). Quijada and his group ride around the ballpark on stick horses after home runs hit by Astros 1B Carlos Lee, whose nickname is the Horse. The Astros are also rolling out a special line of El Caballo T-shirts with designs “that will change from month to month.” Items with Lee’s name and number “are among the Astros’ hottest sellers,” and he trails only 2B Craig Biggio, 1B Lance Berkman, C Brad Ausmus and P Roy Oswalt in jersey sales (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/18).

NOTES: In N.Y., Marc Berman cites a source as saying that Knicks G Stephon Marbury’s contract with Steve & Barry’s, which exclusively sells Starbury sneakers, expires in two years. The source said after the deal expires, “the plan is then to go global” (N.Y. POST, 5/17)....Wizards F Caron Butler will offer a testimonial for Rocawear’s upcoming “I Will Not Lose” campaign (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/18).