Will Smith, Long Island City boy caught in collectible controversy, to get Daniel Murphy bat after all
Will Smith, 11, will get his Daniel Murphy autographed baseball bat from Topps after his story appeared in the New York Daily News. Credit: New York Daily News / Ken Murray
A Queens youth is finally getting an autographed Daniel Murphy bat he bought online but never received after the Mets second baseman went on a batting streak in the National League playoffs.
"Topps and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association are confirming that the sale of the Daniel Murphy bat will be honored," the two groups said in a statement Monday.
Will Smith of Long Island City had ordered the bat from Topps, a collectible company, for $175 during the Mets-Cubs playoff series as a 12th birthday gift for himself.
The bat was in stock online and a customer service representative promised Will's parents that the Louisville Slugger would arrive in time for his birthday, on Nov. 3, according to the New York Daily News, which first reported the story.
The order reportedly was suddenly canceled -- and the bat referred to as being out of stock -- after Murphy put on a playoff batting display, hitting a home run in six straight postseason games.
"Topps and the MLBPAA apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused and are fully committed to giving baseball fans and its collectors nothing but the best customer experience possible," the joint statement said.
With Ellen Yan