BUDDY AND THE BIG HURTS? THOMAS SINGS BLUES IN REEBOK AD

     White Sox slugger Frank Thomas has a new Reebok commercial
coming out this month that pairs him with Chicago blues legend
Buddy Guy.  Thomas describes the spot as "an old blues
commercial":  "I'm just telling people that things weren't always
easy for me growing up."  In the spot, Thomas says he talks about
disappointments in his life: "I've not always been that blue-chip
guy. ...I worked hard at every level before I got what I got."
Thomas adds that he is encouraged that baseball players are
"ready to catch up" with football and basketball players in
endorsement deals.  Thomas, noting Eddie Murray's new spot for
Fila:  "Look at Eddie Murray -- he's 40 and he just got his first
commercial.  There's always room for improvement in baseball, but
they're starting to use us like we should be used" (Paul
Sullivan, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/10).