Bryce Harper overtakes Aaron Judge for MLB’s top-selling jersey

Associated Press
Thursday, March 28, 2019 7:19 p.m. | Thursday, March 28, 2019 7:19 p.m.

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Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies runs onto the field before the game against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

AP

A fan wears a Bryce Harper jersey as others fans gather for the Philadelphia Phillies opening day baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Thursday March 28, 2019.

NEW YORK — The new No. 3 is the new No. 1.

Major League Baseball says that Bryce Harper has the sport’s top-selling jersey, ending a two-year reign for Aaron Judge’s No. 99.

Harper signed a $330 million, 13-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies this spring, and his new No. 3 jersey set professional sports records for sales in 24 and 48 hours, according to online retailer Fanatics. His fresh get-up has been the top-selling jersey on MLB.com since Jan. 1, 2019.

Harper overtook Judge, the New York Yankees’ 6-foot-7 slugger who had topped the list since his breakout rookie season in 2017.

Reigning AL MVP and World Series champion Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox is third, two-time AL MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is fourth, and veteran St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is fifth in figures released Thursday.

The Chicago Cubs are the only team with two players in the top 10: Javier Baez at seven and Anthony Rizzo at nine.

Manny Machado placed 12th, making him the first San Diego Padres player to crack the top 20 since MLB began publicizing it in 2010. Machado signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with San Diego this winter.

Now-retired Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was 13th.

Based on Majestic jersey sales from MLBShop.com since New Year’s Day

1. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia

2. Aaron Judge, N.Y. Yankees

3. Mookie Betts, Boston

4. Mike Trout, L.A. Angels

5. Yadier Molina, St. Louis

6. Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers

7. Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

8. Christian Yelich, Milwaukee

9. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

10. Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta

11. Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis

12. Manny Machado, San Diego

13. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle

14. Cody Bellinger, L.A. Dodgers

15. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

16. Jose Altuve, Houston

17. Alex Bregman, Houston

18. Andrew Benintendi, Boston

19. Giancarlo Stanton, N.Y. Yankees

20. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta