TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2009
IN THE NEWS
Cardinals, Fans Brave Cold, Windy Season Opener
(Monday, Apr. 6, Associated Press)
Cardinals fans turned out in the traditional red for Opening Day -- red parkas, red overcoats, red ear muffs and red stocking caps. Monday's opener against Pittsburgh was among the coldest on record in St. Louis. Those who withstood the chill saw an exciting but ultimately disappointing ending -- the Pirates rallied with four two-out runs in the ninth to win 6-4. Weather aside, Opening Day is far more than just a ballgame. Fans lined up in the pre-dawn flurries, with wind chills in the 20s, for the few remaining tickets. The pre-game party outside the ballpark began four hours before the first pitch. On the field, pre-game ceremonies included the traditional parade led by the Budweiser Clydesdales followed by Hall of Famers, coaches and players. The Hall of Famers included Red Schoendienst, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Bob Gibson and Lou Brock. But the biggest ovation came when 88-year-old Stan Musial was introduced, circling the field in a golf cart that drove him to the mound to join the other Hall of Famers.
Beer Sales Overflow, Thanks to Fans
(Tuesday, Apr. 7, Detroit News)
A distributor of Budweiser and Bud Light describes the Final Four frenzy as better than the Super Bowl when it comes to beer sales in downtown Detroit. A distributor of Miller Brewing products compares it to having several Opening Days in one week, referring to the bacchanalia usually associated with the Detroit Tigers' first home game of the season. A major wine and liquor distributor says sales are better than Opening Day. Any way you count it, the suppliers of alcohol say this past week's sales are legendary. More than 80,000 fans started arriving in the Motor City on Friday, many of whom stayed through today. Several bars and restaurants said the hoops crowds have ventured much farther than Opening Day revelers.
Coke to Take Minority Stake in U.K.'s Innocent
(Tuesday, Apr. 7, The Wall Street Journal)
Coca-Cola Co. is investing $44 million for a minority stake in Innocent Ltd., a U.K. smoothie maker known for its environmentally conscious packaging and marketing savvy. Coke is continuing to invest in juices and teas, as growth in its core soft-drink business fizzles in the U.S. and slows in some other markets. Coke's $2.4 billion offer for China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd. was blocked last month by Chinese regulators. But the company spent $43 million last year for a 40 percent stake in Honest Tea Inc., a maker of premium and organic bottled teas, and has bought companies such as Fuze Beverages LLC and Odwalla in recent years. Coke isn't alone in such investments, as rival Nestlé Waters North America Holdings Inc. agreed last month to invest $15.6 million for a stake in Sweet Leaf Tea Co., with an option to buy the ready-to-drink tea company. Innocent said its co-founders would continue to run the company with an emphasis on such things as natural ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging such as a 100 percent recycled plastic bottle, delivery vans covered in grass and daisies and charitable giving. Coke said its investment should foster Innocent's continued expansion in Europe.
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