In Detroit, Karen Dybis noted local retailers claim that Tigers LF Yoenis Cespedes "will be the guy to beat this year when it comes to baseball caps, apparel, novelties and related merchandise." Detroit-area store buyers and managers said that Cespedes "shows promise when it comes to sales related to gear bearing his name." Cespedes will join P Justin Verlander, 1B Miguel Cabrera and "other bestselling Tigers players on retailers' shelves." Store officials said that Tigers merch "has been a strong seller for several years." They believe that this season "will continue that trend, especially with crowd enthusiasm for new players like Cespedes promising to boost revenue even further" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/4).
WAITING GAME: ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported adidas on Friday "unveiled a billboard" across from Wrigley Field featuring Cubs 3B Kris Bryant with the text "Worth The Wait." Bryant was sent to Triple-A after a great spring, but adidas America Dir of Baseball Aaron Kahn "played down the tension that the sign might create" with the Cubs. He said, "We just wanted to make sure to tell the folks in Chicago that they have a great thing coming." Kahn said that his team "had long decided to buy a billboard and feature Bryant on it, though he admitted the text changed" following Bryant's demotion. Kahn added that adidas "did not have any conversations with the Cubs about it (ESPN.com, 4/3).
SPRING WARDROBE: Nashville-based retailer Pro Merch has unveiled its spring '15 line of MLB player-inspired fashion T-shirts designed and sold exclusively for Target. The multiyear collaboration between Pro Merch, the MLBPA and Target will include shirts in men's, women's and youth designs. The collaboration will feature some of the most recognizable players in MLB history, including HOFers Rollie Fingers and Sandy Koufax, as well as Royals 1B Eric Hosmer, Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia and Angels CF Mike Trout (Pro Merch).
JOLLY ROGER: The Pirates have announced a new partnership with W.B. Mason on a deal in which the office supply company will be named the Official Office Supply and Office Furniture Company of the Pirates. The team partner will receive premium exposure in ballpark as the W.B. Mason logo is now the newest sign to adorn the outfield wall at PNC Park (Pirates).
FREE PIZZA: Domino's today announced it is bringing back a promotion in which all registered MLB.com users will be eligible to receive a free pizza after each of the first two no-hitters during the MLB season. The first 20,000 baseball fans who visit and log in to MLB.com/dominos beginning at 3:00pm ET on the business day following the no-hitter will receive a code for a free, two-topping medium Handmade Pan Pizza (carryout only) when they order online from Dominos.com. The DomiNoNo offer for each no-hitter is available until 20,000 codes are given away, or for five days starting at 3:00pm on the business day following the no-hitter (Domino's).
