Marketplace Roundup

Several MLBers Yesterday Wore Special- Edition Nike Shoes Honoring Jackie Robinson

FIRSTCUTS' Chris Littmann reported several MLBers yesterday wore a special-edition Nike clear honoring Jackie Robinson on the 62nd anniversary of him breaking the league's color barrier. The players included Mariners LF Ken Griffey Jr., Angels CF Torii Hunter, Rays LF Carl Crawford, Brewers LF Ryan Braun, Tigers CF Curtis Granderson, Cubs 1B Derrek Lee and Mets 3B David Wright. Littmann noted a "non-cleated, turf version of the shoe will be available at selected retail outlets beginning May 1" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 4/15). In Philadelphia, David Murphy reported the shoes feature Robinson's No. 42 and a "metal replica of his silhouette." Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins, who planned to wear the shoe but did not play due to a rain out, said, "I was trying to get a pair for President Obama, but I didn't know his shoe size" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/16).

WITNESS THIS: In Lexington, Jerry Tipton reports Univ. of Kentucky G Jodie Meeks and his teammates "received commemorative T-shirts" from Nike in honor of Meeks scoring 54 points against the Univ. of Tennessee on January 13. Nike College Basketball Sports Marketing Manager Martin Newton said the company made the shirts for the team and the athletic department days after the game. Tipton notes the shirts, which will not be for sale, feature the word "Witness" on the front, referring to a campaign for Cavaliers F LeBron James. The back of the shirt "shows the progression of Meeks' scoring with a '1' for a free throw, a '2' for a basket and a '3' for a three-pointer" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 4/16).

CHIPS & PUTTS: GOLFWEEK's Schupak & Soderstrom cite sources saying that IMG "already has secured agreements" for golfer Danny Lee to endorse Callaway Golf and Elord clothing, and that the agency is "close to a deal with MasterCard." But Callaway officials said that as of Monday a deal "had not been signed with Lee" (GOLFWEEK, 4/18 issue)....One of the "more popular items" at a merchandise tent near the 18th tee at this week's PGA Tour Verizon Heritage tournament is a camouflage cap with the word "Boo" on the front, referring to golfer Boo Weekley (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/16).

THE GREAT BEYOND: Esurance on April 27 at AT&T Park will present Star Trek Movie Night during the Dodgers-Giants game. The event celebrates the May 8 release of "Star Trek" and includes a special ticket offer for fans to participate in Star Trek-themed activities, including a pre-game Ultimate Trekkie costume contest (Esurance).