An Academy Sports + Outdoors spokesperson said that all 31 Houston-area locations "remained open overnight" after the Astros' World Series win on Wednesday and "still had lines well into Thursday afternoon," according to Ileana Najarro of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. A local Dick's Sporting Goods also "had customers in the store" until 4:00am CT. National Bobblehead HOF & Museum co-Founder & CEO Phil Sklar said that the museum "sold several full sets of Astros team bobbleheads Thursday morning with pre-order sales kicking off the moment" the Astros won. Bering's hardware store in two hours "sold half its inventory of $150 Waterford crystal baseballs" commemorating the World Series win. Fans on Thursday also "lined up" outside the Houston Chronicle office "to buy extra newspapers" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/3).
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES: In Louisville, Carolyn Tribble Greer reports the Louisville Slugger Museum is "making commemorative bats" to mark the Astros' title. The company is "making 2,017 sequentially numbered, limited-edition, full-size Louisville Slugger bats." Several options are available, including "full-size bats in one color ($99.95) or two colors ($129.95)." There also is a "variety of mini bats, and you can get personalized bats and gloves" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/3). In Buffalo, James Fink noted New Era is "prepping for an increased demand from Astros' fans." New Era Dir of PR & Brand Communications Dana Marciniak said, "Most likely we will see a spike." But it "may not be as dramatic" as last year when the Cubs won the World Series. Marciniak said, "We will, I’m sure, see a double-digit percentage-wise increase in the Houston market and other parts of Texas, but it won’t be like the Cubs. Houston’s fans are not as widespread as those of the Cubs or Yankees or Red Sox" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/2). Meanwhile, Coca-Cola is unveiling a limited-edition commemorative 16-ounce can to honor the Astros’ accomplishment. The cans feature the official World Series Champions mark including the Astros logo and can be purchased at participating Timewise and Family Dollar stores (Coca-Cola).
