In the ever-crossing streams of fandom, one can sometimes find unexpected treasures where you least anticipate them. Such is the case with WWE’s charismatic powerhouse Mike “The Miz” Mizanin. This wrestling champion, who’s known for both his agile maneuvers in the ring and his flamboyant persona, has bowled over a new audience by stepping onto the field—not to wrestle, but to pitch, and more delightfully for collectors, appear on a Major League Baseball trading card.
As part of Topps’ 2025 Series 2 release, The Miz makes his ceremonious splash into the peculiar and delightful collision between baseball card zealots and wrestling enthusiasts. The card features The Miz during his ceremonial first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians’ Progressive Field, signifying not just another day at the diamond, but rather a heartfelt nod to his own roots in Cleveland, Ohio. For The Miz, tossing out that first pitch was more than a casual fling at a baseball; it was a spirited salute to his hometown and the fans he knows and loves so well.
Known for their shrewd mix of celebrities throwing first pitches, Topps cleverly includes these Short Print (SP) cards in their line-up, cards that always leave enthusiasts scurrying like kids during a candy drop. Scarcer than hen’s teeth and far more coveted than the usual suspects in a collector’s album, these SP cards are minted in smaller quantities, making them prized possessions for the astute gatherer. This year’s lineup doesn’t just spotlight The Miz; it honors a collection of pop-culture icons who’ve dared to take center field. Previously immortalized performers like rapper Travis Scott, basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama, and chart-topping musician Bad Bunny, have all been renowned for their pitch-perfect presence on MLB fields.
The Miz wasn’t one to hold back his mixture of astonishment and exuberance once he uncovered news of his feature. Never one to shy away from media, he took to social platforms, exclaiming with uncontainable glee, “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” His reaction likely echoes the sentiments of his multitude of followers, from wrestling arenas to baseball stands. The joy and surprise encapsulated in his social media outburst speaks volumes—here is a man who’s experienced his share of monumental moments, and yet, a piece of collectible cardboard bringing together two beloved sports communities seems to have left him conspicuously thrilled.
Rooted in Parma, Ohio, The Miz’s first pitch was much more than a cold opening. It was a lighthearted homage to all things Cleveland—like a fine craft beer bearing locally inspired flavors. Known chiefly for his vivacious presence and penchant for drama from his days on MTV’s The Real World to headlining the grand stages of WrestleMania, The Miz has made a living off his ability to be remarkable and memorable. This trading card represents yet another feather in his decorative cap—a rarity worth vying over, a testament of his ability to transition seamlessly from one arena to another, or in this case, one pitch to another.
Now available online and in various hobby shops, the 2025 Topps Series 2 set has become quite the conversation starter among collectors. Anticipation boils as fans rip through packs, eyes wide and fingers crossed for the risqué and collectible Miz SP card. With Topps already generating buzz as per norm, this surprise item has instantly risen amongst the ranks of must-haves for sports card aficionados and wrestling fans alike.
Serendipitously bridging the gap between baseball’s leisurely pace and wrestling’s larger-than-life drama, The Miz’s trading card doesn’t just serve as a collector’s grail—it epitomizes how the world of sports and entertainment, at times, can skillfully intertwine to provide joy, astonishment, and sometimes a little pinch-yourself moment to remind us that some narratives are worth collecting.
