SALE OF RIPKEN-STREAK MERCHANDISE SOARS; COULD HIT $100M

     The sale of merchandise involving Cal Ripken and his
consecutive game streak has been overwhelming according to the
Orioles VP/Business & Finance Joe Foss.  Foss: "It's gone beyond
everybody's wildest expectations."  The team sold all 80,000
souvenir books at $10 each and 3,000 baseballs at $20 each on
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.  An additional 50,000 souvenir
books have been ordered (WASHINGTON POST, 9/9).  Sales of Ripken-
related merchandise could hit $100M over the next 90 days, writes
Bruce Horovitz of USA TODAY.  Among the "hottest" limited-edition
items include Louisville Slugger autographed bats and baseball
jerseys.  Ken Goldin of Score Board says 75% of 2,131 bats are
sold, while Ad Magic's Marty Goodman has sold 800 of 1,000
jerseys.  Many of Ripken's licensing companies will donate some
proceeds to charity (USA TODAY, 9/11).  The Baltimore SUN sold
about 387,000 additional copies of Wednesday's and Thursday's
papers (Baltimore SUN, 9/9).