BASEBALL STAR KEN GRIFFEY, JR. SIGNS LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH PEPSI

Cincinnati Reds Outfielder Joins Chicago Cubs Slugger Sammy Sosa on Pepsi's Baseball Roster

PURCHASE, N.Y., March 9, 2000 - An already exciting spring for Major League Baseball All-Star Centerfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. just became more interesting.

After returning to his hometown of Cincinnati to suit up for the Reds this season, Griffey, Jr. today announced that he will step up to the plate as a Pepsi endorser, joining Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, who earned a spot in the Pepsi lineup last week.

Griffey, Jr.'s long-term agreement with Pepsi-Cola Company includes a part in a new national television commercial. Along with Sosa, Griffey, Jr. also will be involved with Pepsi's "Takin' it to the Fields" youth baseball and softball programs and will appear on Pepsi in-store materials this summer.

A lifelong Pepsi drinker, Griffey endorsed Pepsi on a regional basis while with the Seattle Mariners and appeared in national advertising for Pepsi's All Sport Body Quencher in 1995.

"Junior is basically a living legend," said Katie Lacey, director of sports marketing for Pepsi-Cola Company. "He's upped the ante on what baseball fans consider 'good numbers,' and his popularity stretches to all corners of the U.S. and the world. We're delighted he's part of the Pepsi family."

Griffey, Jr., has virtually rewritten the record books in his 11-year career. He has compiled 10 straight All-Star appearances, won 10 straight Gold Gloves and earned American League MVP honors in 1997. He was the second-youngest player ever to reach 300 career home runs, and he is two early-season home runs away from becoming the youngest player ever to reach the 400 home run plateau.

Pepsi-Cola Company (pepsi.com) is the global beverage division of PepsiCo, Inc (pepsico.com). Headquartered in Purchase, N.Y., its brands in the United States include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi ONE, Mountain Dew, Mug, Slice, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Aquafina, All Sport Body Quencher and FruitWorks. The company also makes and markets ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

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