There’s something to be said for the unexpected crossovers that catch us off guard and provide a chuckle or two. The latest in this surprisingly delightful trend is none other than the WWE’s own multitasking marvel, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, who has now extended his showmanship to yet another canvas: a Major League Baseball card. But don’t get too excited about him stealing bases or landing home runs just yet. Instead, The Miz is immortalized on cardboard, courtesy of the 2025 Topps Series 2 set.
For those keeping score at home, The Miz’s relationship with trading cards has long been underscored by WWE’s steadfast collaboration with Topps, bundling the brand’s champions in the form of pocket-sized portraits for your collecting pleasure. However, this time, the spotlight shifts from the squared circle to the baseball diamond. The Miz has earned his collectible status through a new venture, marking his territory in a different sports product. It was during a moment of nostalgic affection for his hometown Cleveland Guardians, where the wrestling star took to the mound at Progressive Field, to deliver a ceremonial first pitch that essence was captured in cardboard glory.
This particular move by Topps isn’t exactly out of left field. The company has a tried-and-true tradition of showcasing celebrities and athletes stepping out of their comfort zones for ceremonial first pitches, making them candidates for these sought-after Short Print (SP) cards. Capitalizing on its rarity, an SP card is not minted in large quantities, making it a prized possession among diehard collectors who know—they will have to hunt them down.
The Miz now fits right in with an expanding lineup of unexpected card stars. The past couple sets have featured a motley crew featuring rapper Travis Scott, towering NBA talent Victor Wembanyama, and even the Latin rhythm juggernaut Bad Bunny—all having some sort of pitch-related connection yet ranging widely in their respective careers.
The Miz, a self-proclaimed Cleveland connoisseur, donned his pinstripe pride with all the fervor of a true local hero. Born and bred in Parma, Ohio, The Miz has always echoed the chants of Cleveland’s sports culture with a cheerleader’s gusto. His first pitch wasn’t just a perfunctory nod or a fleeting footnote in celebrity baseball cameos, but rather a bold shout-out to the town that shaped him—and an opportunity to do it with classic Miz pizzazz. It was a lifetime milestone dressed in Guardians apparel.
From dwelling in the chaotic confines of MTV’s The Real World house to bringing the spectacle to the squared circle of WrestleMania, The Miz’s career is an ode to the unexpected and exuberant. Bumptious and effervescent, his personality is tailor-made for headlines and firsts. Therefore, to see his face grace a baseball card is a fitting capper to his resume of unpredictability.
The Miz, being no wallflower, took to his social media accounts in an uproar of equal parts disbelief and exhilaration at his newfound fame—for collectibles, that is. His excited inquiry, “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” punctuated the announcement with his signature flair, quickly cascading through timelines and newsfeeds. Naturally, this unexpected venture has quickly become not just a gotta-have but an oh-my-gosh-seek-it-out for the cross-section of wrestling fans and baseball purists alike.
For collectors and adventurers keen on the hunt, the 2025 Topps Series 2 set awaits, offering itself both online and through various hobby shops. Given the brewing buzz, the task of pilfering a Miz SP card could very well become a whole seasonal event in itself—a proposition as enthralling as unanticipated. It’s a curious interplay of aesthetics and sports that makes you wonder who the next surprise will be.
This unexpected melding of worlds reminds us that life thrives on such amusing detours. With this new Topps twist, The Miz’s league of influence extends from the ropes of a wrestling ring to the rarified wax packs of baseball cards. That’s enough to make you nod along with a chuckle, thinking, maybe the world is truly a stage—and every arena is a chance for The Miz to lay down another iconic moment.
