In Chicago, Chris Kuc noted Cubs 3B Kris Bryant "played with fire -- literally -- during a recent photo shoot for RedBull.com." Bryant fielded baseballs that were "soaked in gasoline and then set on fire with a blow torch." Bryant says in the video, "We’ve got fire extinguishers (and) safety people. I’m not getting hurt” (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 7/25).
FINDING A GROOVE: In Boston, Keith Pearson notes locally based Vertical Groove Golf, which turned the "horizontal grooves on traditional drivers 90 degrees to make them vertical," is already in the "winner's circle." The club hit the market in December, and club spokesperson John Daly won the PGA Tour Champions' Insperity Invitational in May. Kenny Perry two months later "had the club in his bag when he won the U.S. Senior Open." The club went to market Dec. 15 and by Christmas had "signed Daly and Rocco Mediate" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/26).
PASS THE SALSA: In DC, Dan Steinberg reported Tostitos and the Redskins this fall will "release limited-edition Redskins packaging" in the Baltimore/DC area. A release announcing the partnership claims the chips will be infused with "Redskins luck." Steinberg noted the Redskins have the NFL’s "26th-best winning percentage" since '00. Steinberg: "I’m not sure how eager I would be to eat chips infused with Redskins luck! I might prefer chips infused with Patriots luck. Or with Packers luck. Or with salsa" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/25).
