Brace yourselves, sports memorabilia enthusiasts, because The Miz, one of WWE’s most flamboyant figures, has made a splash in the Major League Baseball card scene—not on the field playing ball, but immortalized on cardboard. The evolution of Mike “The Miz” Mizanin from reality TV rabble-rouser to wrestling entertainer is impressive enough, but his latest venture has transported him from the ropes of the WWE ring to the pages of the 2025 Topps Series 2 baseball card set. This unexpected homage celebrates his ceremonial first pitch at Progressive Field, home to the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians.
The Miz’s foray into MLB trading cards is a twist not entirely out of left field—after all, he’s no stranger to appearing on collectible cards. Topps, a long-standing partner of WWE, has produced numerous WWE trading cards featuring The Miz. But this marks the first time the pro wrestler graces a baseball-centric product. The 2025 Topps Series 2 set immersed him within an ongoing tradition of commemorating celebrity and athlete ceremonial first-pitch appearances with special Short Print (SP) cards. Known for their limited availability when compared to the standard series, SP cards are inherently more coveted and sought after by collectors.
In recent years, this Topps tradition has spotlighted eclectic figures such as hip-hop artist Travis Scott, basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama, and beat-dropping sensation Bad Bunny, each of whom has also graced the pitcher’s mound with notable whimsy. Their ceremonial pitches may have varied in elegance, but each left an imprint that brought a little extra pizzazz to America’s favorite pastime. Akin to this trend, The Miz took to social media with a delightful mixture of disbelief and elation upon discovering his cardboard likeness: “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” he exclaimed.
A Cleveland native born in Parma, Ohio, The Miz has never shied away from championing his hometown. His ceremonial first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game wasn’t a mere sports moment; it was a heartfelt nod to his roots, each toss embodying a salute from a hometown hero to his roots. For a WWE star whose narrative arcs and rivalries often unfold like operatic tales, tossing a baseball was a refreshingly wholesome cameo—an act both simple and saturated with personal significance.
Whether admirers of his WWE persona or fans of his no-holds-barred reality TV debut on MTV’s The Real World, The Miz’s latest accolade as a baseball card star comes as a joyful surprise. Rewind through the highlights of Mizanin’s career, and it’s evident his ascent was built on embracing the extraordinary—from strutting with flair in the ring, being a six-time Intercontinental Champion, to being the WWE Champion. Now, The Miz has added another feather to his well-decorated cap reminiscent of Earl Battey’s baseball helmet—a Topps trading card.
Collectors itching to get their hands on this surprising addition can find the 2025 Topps Series 2 set already hitting the shelves, both in the digital realm and brick-and-mortar hobby shops. The iconic packaging, while familiar, holds excitement for the unknown—a relic for those lucky enough to snare a Miz SP card. The buzzy anticipation of unveiling an exclusive Short Print featuring The Miz places fans at the edge of their seats, much like his signature finishing move, the Skull Crushing Finale.
Crafted into each addendum to the Topps series is the spirit of celebration—as much of the sporting world that can be contained within the span of a baseball card. The introduction enriches not just the world of MLB trading cards but celebrates an intersection where fervor for wrestling intertwines with the slow-burning adoration of America’s pastime. Meanwhile, The Miz, somewhere on the horizon, likely grins democratically from under the spotlight, reveling in yet another unexpected chapter in his career portfolio—a testament to a public figure perpetually defying boundaries and expectations.
Beneath the bounds of tradition, there are always paths least expected. Thanks to The Miz’s inclusion, fans from all walks of the sports spectrum can unite under the shared thrill of witnessing the unexpected. His inclusion in this Topps tradition does more than capture a pitch; it encapsulates a passion for Cleveland, a sly wink to fans of both wrestling and baseball, and a continued narrative legacy for a man who knows well the art of showmanship.
