The excitement surrounding the Cubs' acquisition of P Jon Lester and the White Sox signing Ps Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson "could translate into increased spending on baseball apparel," according to Christy Gutowski of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. However, there is a "sticking point right now: Lester and Samardzija don't have uniform numbers yet." Sports World Chicago Partner Brad Rosen, whose retail shop is across the street from Wrigley Field, said, "The merchandise will hit the street pretty much the next day. We're crossing our fingers they can get us it as quickly as possible." Rosen added that he "already has placed his order -- pending Lester's number -- and paid extra for overnight shipping from Majestic Athletic," MLB's official licensee. Lester has worn No. 31 throughout his career, but the Cubs "previously retired it" for Baseball HOFers Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins. Samardzija "potentially could retain his No. 29 but, until it's official, merchants are waiting," because they "recall past false starts" after trades involving Phillies P Cliff Lee and former MLBer Ken Griffey Jr. National Sporting Goods Association Communications Dir Marty Maciaszek said that shelves "should be stocked with fresh official MLB apparel soon." Majestic Athletic President Jim Pisani said that his company is "ready to start sewing jerseys and printing tees as soon as it learns the numbers" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/13).
