The Biggest Moments in the Game
Baseball is full of moments that make you stop, rewind, and say, “Did that really just happen?” A walk-off homer; a rookie’s electric debut; a wild on-field celebration; these are the kinds of moments that fans talk about for days, and Topps NOW® makes it possible to collect them.
Since its launch in 2016, the Topps NOW® program has done something no other card set ever dared — turn yesterday’s highlight into today’s trading card. Cards are designed, printed, and sold within hours of the event, available for just 24 hours on the Topps website. No waiting for next year’s set. No guessing what will matter six months down the road. If it lit up the baseball threads on X or made the ESPN crawl, chances are Topps NOW® turned it into cardboard gold.
Baseball in Real Time
The appeal of Topps NOW® is simple: It captures the sport as it happens. That home run you watched last night? It might already be a card by breakfast. Each day of the MLB season brings a fresh batch of memorable moments — clutch hits, no-hitters, quirky celebrations — and Topps stays on top of them with a rotating lineup of daily releases.
Last week, for instance, Riley Greene blasted two HRs in an explosive ninth inning, propelling the Tigers to a 9-1 victory over the Angels. Greene was the first MLB player to ever hit two homers in the ninth inning of a game. The next day, Topps offered a perfectly designed card with an action shot of a celebrating Greene rounding the bases — almost 3,000 fans ordered it for themselves.
This approach has changed how collectors think about baseball cards. Instead of revisiting the season months later through a flagship set, Topps NOW® lets fans live the season through cards as it unfolds. It’s instant gratification for collectors, without sacrificing quality or collectability.
A New Kind of Highlight Reel
Over the past year, Topps NOW® has featured some incredible moments. Shohei Ohtani’s continued dominance has been well represented, for instance. One standout card from the 2024 season — Topps NOW® #722 — celebrated Ohtani becoming the first player in MLB history to tally 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. That card had a staggering print run of over 650,000 copies, making it the year’s most popular release.
But it’s not just the superstars. Topps NOW® is also where unlikely heroes shine. When Mets rookie Ronny Mauricio produced the hardest first career hit ever recorded, or when Rockies reliever Zach Agnos nailed down his first big-league save, fans could snag a card to remember it. The series thrives on the unexpected, turning role players into legends — if only for a day.
Moments that Go Beyond the Box Score
What sets Topps NOW® apart is its willingness to go beyond the typical highlight. Viral moments, celebrity sightings, and pure fan joy often make the cut. In May 2025, when musician John Mayer threw out the first pitch at Citi Field while wearing a custom Mets jersey, it wasn’t just a gimmick — it became a card. The Mayer card even had a surprise variant: a rare dual autograph version signed by Mayer and Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, randomly inserted into a few lucky orders.
Then there was the unforgettable story of Liz McGuire, a fan at a Blue Jays game who took a 110 mph foul ball to the forehead and somehow made it look cool. She went viral for her reaction, embraced her 15 minutes of fame, and ended up on a Topps NOW® card of her own. It was fun, a little silly, and totally unforgettable — the kind of offbeat collectible that reminds you baseball is more than just numbers.
Topps NOW® is built for the moment. Every morning during the season, new cards are revealed based on what happened the night before. Each release is available for just 24 hours before it’s gone for good and printed only in the quantity ordered. That means every card is both limited and timely. Make a habit of checking in daily for the latest releases — you never know what the next card will capture.
Time Capsules Worth Collecting: A Few Standouts
Some Topps NOW® cards tell stories that would’ve been hard to believe even a few hours before they went live. One of the most dramatic came in July 2023, when Domingo Germán threw MLB’s 24th perfect game. Within hours, Topps NOW® issued a sharp card (#574) commemorating the feat — one that hadn’t happened in over a decade. Featuring a crisp image of Germán’s final pitch, the release was an instant favorite among fans and collectors alike.
Another standout was Elly De La Cruz’s breakout in Cincinnati. The rookie sensation made headlines for his speed, charisma, and sheer explosiveness. After stealing second, third, and home in the same inning, De La Cruz became a social media phenomenon, and Topps NOW® was there to document it. His cards seemed to roll out with each jaw-dropping performance, and every one added another chapter to his fast-growing legend.
And who could forget Albert Pujols’ 700th home run? When he joined one of baseball’s most exclusive clubs, Topps NOW® celebrated with a tribute that felt both immediate and historic. Released just a day after the milestone, the card gave fans a chance to mark the moment almost as soon as it happened.
Why Collectors Love Topps NOW®
The 24-hour sales window is key to the appeal of Topps NOW®. If you miss the drop, that’s it — you have to hunt the card down on the secondary market. This creates a sense of urgency, but it also makes each card feel tied to a very specific moment in time.
Collectors also appreciate the quality. Despite the quick turnaround, Topps NOW® cards are printed on high-gloss stock with clean designs and sharp photography. Many feature variants, autographs, and low-numbered parallels, keeping the chase element alive even in a print-on-demand format.
The Future of Topps NOW®
Topps NOW® has already changed how we collect baseball cards, but its evolution isn’t slowing down. We’re seeing more integration with MLB’s digital platforms, social media, and real-time analytics. No matter how it grows, the heart of Topps NOW® will remain the same, though: It’s about capturing baseball in the moment. Not yesterday. Not next year. Now.
Baseball is unpredictable, thrilling, and sometimes just plain weird — and Topps NOW® is built to keep up. Whether you’re chasing rookie cards, collecting highlights, or just want a memento from last night’s mind-blowing game, there’s probably a Topps NOW® card for it.
