WWE superstar and Cleveland’s own boisterous pride, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, has splashed into the Major League Baseball scene in a most unexpected manner. While this multi-talented wrestling champ hasn’t traded the ring for the diamond permanently, he’s entered the world of baseball cards in a surprising way — as part of the 2025 Topps Series 2 set. But unlike other sluggers and pitchers in the set, The Miz’s appearance is commemorative and penurious, marking his ceremonial first pitch at Progressive Field earlier this year.
Incorporating celebrities and special guests advocating the spirit of the big leagues is not new to Topps. The tradition grows stronger each year, with special Short Print (SP) cards that treasure rare appearances, pulling the hottest names from various arenas into the mix. These cards, limited in number and highly coveted, add an extra pinch of allure for collectors.
The Miz finds himself in esteemed company, joining a roster of notable figures like music megastar Travis Scott, basketball prodigy Victor Wembanyama, and chart-topper Bad Bunny—all of whom have, quite literally, taken a throw at MLB games. Despite the high stakes and high-profile participants, The Miz’s inclusion feels as fitting as a glove to a baseball, especially in the eyes of those who share his deep-seated Cleveland loyalties.
A native son of Parma, Ohio, The Miz has never shied away from flaunting his affection for his roots. His first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game wasn’t merely a guest appearance. It was a thunderous ode to his town, underscoring his identity as a devoted fan and local hero alongside his towering achievements in the WWE realm.
The Miz’s star-studded career is marked by his dazzling personality and fearless showmanship, transiting from reality TV on MTV’s long-gone era to the heady lights of WrestleMania. His persona is at once audacious and magnetic, qualities that resonate wildly with fans. Thus, this unique accolade of appearing on a baseball card, a memento tied so closely to Americana, is yet another feather in a cap brimming with attempts to broaden his appeal and reach.
When news of the card broke, so did The Miz’s cool composure. Reacting with his trademark humor, shock, and excitement, he turned to social media to voice what many of his followers felt: “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” Such unguarded enthusiasm resonated with fans, some drawn in by memories of his wrestling prowess, others by his newfound baseball card debut, spiking the demand for this edition astronomically.
Since its release, the 2025 Topps Series 2 set has emerged as one of the most riveting chases in recent memory. The potential of drawing a Miz SP injects a jolt of exhilarating surprise into the expectation-laden thrill of breaking open a pack. Both wrestling aficionados and baseball enthusiasts have found common ground, united in their bid to snag a piece of this pop culture collision.
What makes The Miz’s card such a magnetic piece isn’t merely his celebrity — it’s the symbolic merger of two worlds that thrive on spectacle and narrative. The memorable instance at Progressive Field captures a superstar connecting with his roots, while the Topps card immortalizes that fleeting moment. Hidden within packs and enveloped in mystique, this SP card isn’t just a memorabilia, but a narrative touchpoint where stories of grit and glory converge.
Moreover, this initiative by Topps underscores their innovative narrative — cultivating a mosaic of culture that respects the game while embracing broader pop culture sensibilities. It reflects a conscious drive to blend entertainment with sports, catering to an ever-broadening audience spectrum driven by sentimental value and nostalgia.
Though The Miz’s pitching prowess might not translate to the field insights or statistics, his participation and ensuing feature bridge communities and nurture interests, transcending traditional boundaries. The buzz surrounding this misfit moment speaks volumes of his impact across various fan bases, enduringly bolstered by an audacious joy for the unexpected and the fortuitous charm of novelty that erupts on an upgraded playground.
Fans and collectors in the years to come will turn to these cardboard squares, remembering when WWE’s “Most Must-See” personality surprised the world by arriving to a new domain capably, not by bantering in his vaults of eloquence or flexing like a true wrestler but by simply standing on a mound, representing far more than just one fandom, but a communal charisma that entertains universally.
