Some orders for Harper jerseys are backlogged to the point that they may not be shipped until May 31MICHAEL RUBIN
Phillies RF Bryce Harper's new No. 3 jersey "set a company record" for retailer Fanatics by becoming the "top online seller in any sport for any player during the first 48 hours after its launch," according to Eddie Matz of ESPN.com. The previous record belonged to LeBron James' Lakers jersey last summer. The "next best-selling jerseys" after James' were Yankees DH Giancarlo Stanton, Bears LB Khalil Mack and 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo. According to Fanatics, the top three markets for "sales of Harper jerseys so far" are Philadelphia, DC and N.Y. (ESPN.com, 3/4). There is "such a backlog of orders for Harper jerseys that some are receiving receipts that say the order will ship by May 31" (NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com, 3/4).
NEW TEAM, NEW GEAR: Toy brand FOCO introduced a pair of Bryce Harper bobbleheads, the first officially licensed bobbleheads to feature the former MVP in Phillies gear. The Harper Game Of Thrones Iron Throne Bobblehead is part of a recently launched MLB Game Of Thrones collection. The other figurine is a "Welcome To Philadelphia" Bobblehead that features Harper in his new uniform posing in front of a billboard. Both stand about eight inches tall and are available on FOCO.com. Meanwhile, a Topps Now card from Harper's introductory press conference on Saturday has sold more than 12,000 copies, making it the third-best selling Topps Now card in the program's history since its inception in '16 (THE DAILY).
PUT DOWN THAT LIGHTER: In DC, Scott Allen notes The Big Stick, a local bar, is "encouraging others to donate their unwanted Harper apparel to a good cause." All Nationals Harper gear brought to the bar will be donated to Bread for the City, a "nonprofit that provides food, clothing, medical care and social services" to DC families in need. The Big Stick is "offering a shot of Old Overholt whiskey to anyone over 21 who makes a donation" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/4).
