Topps NOW Brings the Biggest Moments of the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Ohtani, Judge, and Much More

The first few days of the 2026 World Baseball Classic have been full of incredible moments and superhuman highlights. And for all the baseball card collectors looking to capture the excitement on cardboard, fear not: Topps NOW® has been chronicling it all.

Let’s look at some of the standout stars and moments of the WBC as celebrated by Topps NOW.

Travis Bazzana Makes a Statement

Number one hits number one in game number one! The 2024 first overall pick in the MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana was first pitch swingin’ in the 7th inning against Chinese Taipei in the first game of the 2026 WBC. The Aussie All-Star mashed an inside pitch into the right field crowd, never to be seen again.

But something tells us this won’t be the last time we see a Bazzana Bomb in the WBC, or in Major League Baseball.

Aaron Judge Slugs for USA

All Rise! The Judge is presiding over Team USA at the WBC. The three-time (and reigning) AL MVP wasted no time whatsoever in his first plate appearance, absolutely cranking a 405-foot two-run blast to left center in Houston’s Daikin Park.

When you’ve got Aaron Judge in the lineup with two on base, giving him the green light on a 3-0 count is a no-brainer, and it set the bar for the Americans in their first game and win last Friday.

Jonathan Aranda Rallies Mexico

Tijuana and Tampa Bay’s own Jonathan Aranda got to play hero for Mexico on Friday when he got ahold of a four-seamer in the eighth inning while tied up at one with Great Britain. Aranda’s oppo taco three-run dinger over the tall left field wall in Houston not only gave Mexico the go-ahead, but would also jumpstart the team into finishing strong with a four-run final frame to push Team Mexico ahead 8-2.

Aranda and Mexico would continue their offensive onslaught against Brazil on Sunday, putting them away with a whopping 16-0 run-rule victory.

You can’t have a highlight list and not include the human highlight reel that is Shohei Ohtani. And in the defending champs’ first game, he did not disappoint. In the second inning with bases loaded, Ohtani absolutely ripped an off-speed pitch to an electric right field crowd at the Tokyo Dome.

The blast broke the scoreless tie in the second inning, and Team Japan didn’t let off the gas the rest of the game, ending with a 13-0 victory. Shohei’s five-star performance in the Tokyo Dome included a 3-4 day at the plate with 5 RBIs.

More to Come at the World Baseball Classic

We’re just getting started with the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and it’s already delivering on the world stage. Keep it locked right here for more 2026 WBC and the rapidly approaching MLB season, and keep following all the Topps NOW action at Topps.com.

Jake Bennett is a RIPPED guest contributor and co-host of the Rebooked wrestling podcast.

World Baseball Classic Topps NOW FAQs

• How long does the 2026 World Baseball Classic run?
  • The competition opened on March 4 and concludes on March 17.
• What did Travis Bazzana do at the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
  • Bazzana hit a first-pitch home run for Australia in the WBC opener against Chinese Taipei, showing the potential that got him drafted first overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
• Which players has Topps NOW featured from the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
  • Travis Bazzana, Aaron Judge, Jonathan Aranda, and Shohei Ohtani headline the first week of action, while other Topps NOW cards feature players like Darell Hernaiz, Ozzie Albies, Kyle Schwarber, Masataka Yoshida, and Juan Soto.
• Where can I buy World Baseball Classic Topps NOW cards?
  • Cards are available for a limited ordering window on Topps.com.

Key Facts

• Event: 2026 World Baseball Classic
• Dates: March 4-17, 2026
• Set: World Baseball Classic Topps NOW®
• Featured Players: Travis Bazzana, Aaron Judge, Jonathan Aranda, Shohei Ohtani

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