Topps Now

 It feels like luck in a way to decide to go to a baseball game and then have something cool happen. There are many awesome things I've never seen in baseball such as a no-hitter, a steal of home, or even a postseason game!

In May we went to see the Pirates play the Phillies. Mostly because we wanted to see Andrew McCutchen, but we also like both live baseball and Citizens Bank Park. The game ended up being great. It was fast: under two hours! It featured Paul Skenes! And, the major league debut of prospect Mick Abel. 

Due to his performance, it was made a Topps Now card. And because I was there I decided to order one and it was delivered the other day.

This is, so far as I know, the third game for which Topps issued a Topps Now card. The other two games were in 2023 (Bryce Harper collecting his 300th career home run on 20 September) and way back in 2017 (Aaron Judge homered and made a diving catch on his 25th birthday on 26 April).

Have I been to other games? Oh hell yes. But I do not routinely check to see if a Topps Now card was made from it. I feel like this is a lost opportunity between Topps the MLB and the teams to try to sell more cards. One regularly gets a survey (to ignore) after the game; or they are sent a summary (also to ignore). But why not push an email or text saying "Hey, [this moment in the game was special] and will be given a Topps Now card! Preserve your memory!" A case in point is that I did not know the Judge game was a Topps Now moment until my Dad gave me a copy of the card in September 2024! It was a great game; misty late April, chilly, and we were in the first and second row by where the ball boy hung out and the Red Sox batters prepped for their at bat (aka the on deck circle). 

I have some Topps Now cards for other moments, mostly Andrew McCutchen. 2,000 hits, 300 home runs, and hit 3 homers in one game for the second time in his career. Darryl Strawberry, too, most recently for having his number retired by the M.E.T.S. Mets Mets Mets. But not because I saw these events in person but because I collect them and probably/likely watched it on TV or on my PC. 

Do you obtain Topps Now cards for any reason?

Thanks for stopping by!