In a delightful twist of events that should surprise absolutely no one who’s followed the audacious trajectory of WWE star Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, this Cleveland sports fan has inexplicably found himself immortalized on a Major League Baseball card in the 2025 Topps Series 2 set. If there ever was an intersection between body-slamming theatrics and the high-tension moments of America's favorite pastime, The Miz would undoubtedly be at its crossroads.
The Miz has always been much more than just your average wrestler. From his reality TV beginnings on MTV’s The Real World to becoming a multi-time WWE champion, he’s made a career of transforming the unexpected into the spectacular. So it seems almost fitting, perhaps even inevitable, that he has now landed a spot in a sphere usually dominated by athletic prowess and outrageous hat tricks — the world of MLB trading cards.
Celebrated on cardboard for his ceremonial first pitch thrown at Progressive Field, the homeland of his beloved Cleveland Guardians, The Miz enters into an elite club of celebrity guests who've taken to the mound before America’s storied baseball games. Topps has long been known to dabble in the occasional cross-promotional stunt, intrigantly bridging the fanbases of sports and entertainment through its Short Print (SP) cards series. Limited edition and short-lived, these cards have become the Pokemon of the trading world: “gotta catch ‘em all,” but only if you can find them.
Joining the likes of rapper Travis Scott, basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama, and the much-adored pop culture dynamo Bad Bunny, The Miz is the latest addition to the trend of star-studded SP cards. These are personalities whose own first pitches have quickly become collector gold. The inclusion of such non-baseball icons is less a curveball and more a testament to how cultural phenomena can sometimes overshadow traditional sports figures.
The hype surrounding the card quickly reached fever pitch on social media. Even The Miz himself, usually the epitome of composed bravado, was caught pleasantly off-guard. He exhibited jovial incredulity as he tweeted, "Wait, this is real?! I need this!" Famously excitable yet always in control, he suddenly found himself as one of the growing horde clamoring for a piece of this newfound collectibles sensation.
Indeed, the surprise of The Miz’s foray into MLB walls is emblematic of his enduring connection to his Cleveland roots. Known for his unmistakable brashness and unapologetically flamboyant style, he’s made no secret of his love/hate relationship with his hometown teams, echoing a narrative shared by many Cleveland faithful. His pitch wasn’t just another lukewarm celebrity involvement; it was a personal homage, almost an open letter to a city that's been the backdrop to his rise to fame.
For collectors and fans of both wrestling and baseball, the emergence of The Miz's card in the 2025 Topps Series 2 set has been akin to striking gold. Retailers both online and in brick-and-mortar hobby shops are being inundated with aficionados seeking their own piece of this rare sporting memorabilia and the bragging rights that accompany it.
The Miz's broader-than-life story fits comfortably into the narrative of the Series 2 - a set already abuzz with anticipation for its eclectic blend of cards. Holding a Miz SP card could symbolize a snag in the nascent waters of crossover memorabilia, forever binding the bombastic flair of professional wrestling with the storied tradition of baseball.
In a nutshell, The Miz’s latest venture into the realms of the unexpected showcases his perpetual knack for crafting excitement — both in and out of the wrestling ring. And, in doing so, it reinforces the notion that sometimes, the unlikeliest connections make for the most cherished memories. It's these connections that fuel the dreams of fans both young and young at heart, ensuring that The Miz continues to deliver the unexpected, even from the pitcher’s mound.
So if you happen to stumble upon one of these coveted gems, hold it dear — because it’s more than just a card. It’s a testament to the power of an illustrious career, unyielding to conventions, and celebrating both unpredictability and homage... much like the man depicted himself.
The Miz First Pitch Baseball Card
Comments