In an unexpected crossover that defies the traditional boundaries of sports fandom, WWE star and beloved Cleveland sports aficionado Mike “The Miz” Mizanin has made a memorable entrance into the realm of Major League Baseball. Not with a bat or glove, mind you, but rather by being honored in the coveted 2025 Topps Series 2 baseball card set. This playful nod to his ceremonial first pitch at Progressive Field earlier this year fulfills a childhood dream for The Miz, adding another feather to his already plush cap of entertainment endeavors.
The Miz’s inclusion in this storied baseball card set is not as far-fetched as it may initially appear. He is no stranger to trading cards, given WWE’s enduring partnership with Topps, which has celebrated wrestling icons for decades. However, this marks Miz’s unorthodox debut in a baseball-themed set. It’s a delightful surprise that features him not as a grappling gladiator in the squared circle, but as a celebrity guest tossing a baseball — perhaps providing a rare insight into the man beyond the ring.
In the world of baseball cards, where tradition meets whimsy, Topps has struck a chord with collectors through its Short Print (SP) card tradition. These special cards commemorate memorable first-pitch appearances by celebrities and athletes who, like The Miz, have shown their stardom can transcend the barrier of their primary careers. Produced in lower quantities than the main series, SP cards are a treasure trove of rarity and value, spinning ordinary moments into collectible gold.
Alongside The Miz, the Topps SP series has previously featured an eclectic mix of celebrities from varied fields. Travis Scott, with his larger-than-life stage presence, Victor Wembanyama, the towering French basketball phenomenon, and the genre-blending musical maestro, Bad Bunny, have all been immortalized by their pitching cameos at MLB games. Each card is a unique snapshot, not just of a pitch, but of the spontaneous joy and wonder that such interludes bring to fans and collectors alike.
For The Miz, being featured in a baseball card set, particularly one acknowledging his hometown Cleveland Guardians, is deeply personal. A native son of Parma, Ohio, his love for Cleveland’s sports teams runs as deep as his wrestling charisma is brash. When he took to the mound for his first pitch, it was more than just a ceremonial duty — it was an homage, a love letter to the city that shaped him. His trajectory from an audacious reality TV persona on MTV’s The Real World to WWE superstardom is a testament to his unapologetic vibrancy and relentless pursuit of visibility. To now be pictured on a baseball card — an enduring piece of Americana — is to solidify his legacy in yet another arena.
Shockwaves of excitement rippled through the fandom when The Miz discovered this homage. His reaction, a cocktail of disbelief and ecstasy, punctuated social media as he exclaimed, “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” The card, suddenly imbued with more than just ink and cardboard, became an object of desire for legions of wrestling and baseball fans alike.
The release of the 2025 Topps Series 2 set, currently available in both digital marketplaces and cherished hobby shops, promises to keep the excitement rolling. It’s an invigorating blend where sports memorabilia and pop culture collide, pulling a Miz SP card likely becoming one of the year’s most talked-about finds. These cards don’t just capture moments — they encapsulate the serendipity of life’s unpredictable intersections.
The Miz’s baseball card is emblematic of how celebrity narratives weave into the fabric of unexpected domains, broadening a fan’s appreciation for multifaceted talent. This isn’t just a card to collect; it’s a symbol of the rollicking adventure that is The Miz’s career, from red carpets to the pitching mound, connecting with every fan who holds it.
Topps’ initiative reminds us that sometimes, the genres we think are confined by rigid lines do, in fact, intertwine beautifully. Celebrities transcend lanes, stories merge, and passions fuse — one ceremonial pitch at a time. It’s a refreshingly playful gesture that memorializes something powerful: the collective enjoyment of the unexpected, the shared delight in the crossover of dreams and reality.
For those clamoring to get their hands on this 2025 Topps treasure, there is a subtle thrill in the hunt. Each pack opened carries a sliver of potential, the hope that within, lies a card decked out with the exuberant spirit of a WWE legend treading unassuming baseball fields. It’s tales like these, captured on card stock, that continue to enchant and engage the storytellers and enthusiasts, wherever their loyalties may lie.
