MLB Senior VP/Licensing Howard Smith said that the St. Louis area "will have plenty of the first championship T-shirts and caps" to commemorate the Cardinals' 11th World Series win, according to O'Neil & Mann of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Wider selections "will pour into the stores a day or two later," a delay Smith ascribed mainly to the limitations of air freight on weekends. Smith said, "On Monday, everybody will be loaded." He promised that the "Rally Squirrel will be well-represented in Cardinals' world championship wear." O'Neil & Mann noted some stores "stayed open after the game Friday for fans who couldn't wait until the next day." A local Dick's Sporting Goods manager said that the store "was packed until about 1:30 a.m." Lines of customers "snaked around the store, some people waiting more than 25 minutes to pay for their goods." The No. 23 jerseys of Cardinals 3B David Freese, who was named World Series MVP, were "hot items, as was all official championship gear." Metro-area Sports Authority stores "opened at 7 a.m." Dick's stores "went one hour better and opened at 6 a.m." (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/29). In Missouri, Josh Nelson noted sporting good stores across the Springfield area "were inundated with people searching for a shirt to commemorate the team's 11th Major League Baseball title." An Academy Sports & Outdoors location "carried the championship gear," and Cardinals apparel "of any kind was flying off the shelves at other stores." Academy Manager Aaron Bishop said, "I expected there could be a response, but I didn't expect it to be this big" (Springfield NEWS-LEADER, 10/30).
INSTANT FAME: In St. Louis, Derrick Goold reported what Freese awaits "is a whirlwind," and his increased profile began yesterday during the Cardinals' "celebratory parade through downtown St. Louis." Nez Balelo, Freese's agent, confirmed that Freese is "scheduled to be a guest on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'" tonight. A reception at CAA Baseball "is certain and there's more possibly in the works" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/30). During the Cardinals' parade testerday, Freese "allowed a film crew from MLB Productions and a reporter from the Post-Dispatch to ride in his pickup." After his appearance on Leno's show, "more appearances could follow during his time on the coast." Freese will "soon get a call from Chevy to customize the Corvette that he won for being the World Series MVP" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/31).
CHAMPIONS' FUEL: Wheaties Fuel on Friday issued a limited-edition commemorative package honoring Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols following the team's World Series victory. The Wheaties Fuel box will be available exclusively in St. Louis at six grocery stores (THE DAILY).
