In Portland, Allan Brettman noted Jordan Brand and Yankees SS Derek Jeter yesterday "launched a campaign to recognize" Jeter's final season. The campaign is entitled "RE2PECT" and limited-edition T-shirts with the phrase on them "go on sale Saturday." Jeter "was the first Jordan Brand-endorsed baseball athlete when he was signed" in '99. Other than Michael Jordan, Jeter is the brand’s "longest-tenured athlete." With "12 signature cleats, Jeter has the most signature shoes of any Jordan Brand athlete other than Jordan" (OREGONLIVE.com, 4/2). Meanwhile, FS1's Jay Onrait noted, "In addition to arranging a tribute to Derek Jeter Wednesday night as part of his just-beginning farewell tour, the Astros team store is packed full of Derek Jeter merchandise. I guess Houston's new uniforms are not flying off the shelves like the team thought. This is insulting" ("Fox Sports Live," FS1, 4/3).
I SAW THE SUN: GQ's Matthew Sebra wrote a new sunglasses collaboration between Louisville Slugger and Portland-based eyewear company Shwood "takes the label's most popular frames and fabricates each out of reclaimed Slugger bats." The ash wood from the old or broken bats "comes flame-tempered or bare with a hand-dipped finish and either result lends a rugged edge to the classic frame shapes" (GQ.com, 3/31).
A CLOSE WATCH: Modify Watches on Tuesday announced that it will produce officially licensed products for MLB starting this season. The two-year deal allows the company to feature the logos of all 30 teams on the faces of its watches. The agreement comes after two years of licensed products between Modify and the MLBPA (Modify).
JUMPIN' JACKIE: Retailer Tommy Bahama on Tuesday announced that it released a '14 collector's edition shirt featuring Baseball HOFer Jackie Robinson ahead of Jackie Robinson Day on April 15. The shirt features a vintage photo of Robinson in a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform, with embroidered elements including his retired number -- 42 -- on the right sleeve and front (Tommy Bahama).
CLUB NOTES: The Padres announced a five-year renewal with the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Sycuan will remain the exclusive Native American business ventures and Native American government partner of the team through '18 (Padres)....The Pirates announced a multiyear sponsorship deal with 84 Lumber, whereby the company will have signage throughout PNC Park, including the top of the visiting bullpen roof in left-center field, as well as ads on Pirates TV and radio coverage throughout the '14 season (Pirates)....The Dodgers announced a partnership with Security Benefit. The retirement saving firm becomes a presenting sponsor of Dodger Stadium's field level (Dodgers).
