Extra Innings by Joe Boesch

From his first beginnings with the White Sox, then the Red Sox, and finally the Braves, Chris Sale has made his presence on the mound known with his precise pitching and longevity in the game. For Sale, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down or even aging and just hit a career milestone with his 2608th career strikeout, which places him 29th on the all-time strikeout list. For his achievement, Topps Now has created his own card. His story on the back of his card goes like this: Chris Sale, now in his 16th season, is making his mark in the MLB record books. The Atlanta Braves southpaw tossed seven innings of one-run ball, racking up seven strikeouts to guide his squad to a 3-1 win over Philadelphia. Sale’s punchout of Felix Reyes in the seventh inning was the 2,608th of his career, passing Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine for 29th on the all-time list. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch

From his first beginnings with the White Sox, then the Red Sox, and finally the Braves, Chris Sale has made his presence on the mound known with his precise pitching and longevity in the game. For Sale, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down or even aging and just hit a career milestone with his 2608th career strikeout, which places him 29th on the all-time strikeout list. For his achievement, Topps Now has created his own card. His story on the back of his card goes like this: Chris Sale, now in his 16th season, is making his mark in the MLB record books. The Atlanta Braves southpaw tossed seven innings of one-run ball, racking up seven strikeouts to guide his squad to a 3-1 win over Philadelphia. Sale’s punchout of Felix Reyes in the seventh inning was the 2,608th of his career, passing Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine for 29th on the all-time list. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch

Mike Trout is showing his MVP-caliber performance again after the previous season of being hurt and not playing up to his All-Star capabilities. He’s been a hitting machine, literally, showing no signs of slowing down. With his exploits, Topps Now has offered a card for his feats. Here are their words of greatness for him: Angels fans are ecstatic to see Mike Trout playing at an MVP-caliber level, slugging his way into the MLB record books in an 11-4 win. The outfielder crushed a 446-foot blast in the seventh inning, going yard for the fourth straight contest. Trout’s five homers during this four-game set are the most ever in a series by a visiting player against the New York Yankees. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch

One needs to look no further and know that two of the best MLB players come from Japan and go by the names of Ichiro and Ohtani. Watching them play is a motion picture in the making—from hitting, fielding, and even pitching, in Ohtani’s case. With that, they both are featured on a special Topps Now card, and it exemplifies their baseball greatness. The wording on their card: Working a walk to reach first base in the opening frame in a series finale against Toronto, Shohei Ohtani found himself in the same sentence as Baseball legend Ichiro. The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star extended his on-base streak to 43 games with that effort, tying the Seattle Mariners icon’s 2009 record for the longest such span by a Japanese MLB player. It doesn’t get any better than that. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch

The Dodgers are the baseball team that all teams want to be—with one of the greatest lineups and a pitching rotation that is lights out, with Shohei Ohtani leading it. They are also the first team to start three Japanese pitchers in a row, and that has been recognized by a Topps Now card. Here's their story from the back of the card: The Los Angeles Dodgers are clearly embracing international Baseball culture, becoming the first MLB Club ever to start three straight pitchers to hail from Japan. Following Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani to begin a three-game set against Cleveland, Yoshinobu Yamamoto completed the historic sequence. "These guys are three great men," Manager Dave Roberts said. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Put a Ring on it. The Dodgers received their 2025 World Series Championship rings, which have bling, dirt, and a lot more. With all the glitz and glamour, they have for a limited time a Topps Now dedicated to the ceremony and also one for Clayton Kershaw.  Here's their story from Topps Now: In a special pregame ceremony ahead of Friday's 5-4 win over the visiting Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers received their championship rings for winning the 2025 World Series back in November. The 14K yellow gold rings feature 86 diamonds, 17 sapphires, and even contain dirt from around home plate collected after Game 7 in a hidden compartment. Besides the ceremony, the Dodgers's recently retired Clayton Kershaw threw out the first pitch, and here's his Topps Now story: Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw returned to the diamond to receive his 2025 World Series Championship ring, before the spotlight turned to No. 22 once more. Kershaw, who spent his entire 18-year career...

If you're a Carson Benge Mets fan, then believe that good things will happen for him this season, as Opening Day for him was the start with his debut home run. He also has the honor of a Topps Now card with his brief heroics that say: New York Mets fans have reason to be excited after seeing Carson Benge belt a home run for his first career knock. The team's No. 2 prospect left the yard in the sixth inning, smacking an 82-mph sweeper in his squad's 11-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Benge joins Kazuo Matsui (2004) as the only Mets with MLB-debut homers on Opening Day. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Baseball is here, and the sound of "Playball" will be heard by the ears of fans of the game. The Yankees and Giants kicked off the start of the baseball season in San Francisco, with the Yankees winning 7-0. What a game and a start to the season! From the game yesterday, you can order a Topps Now keepsake card to commemorate the start of the season. The verbiage on the back of the card says: The San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees were both in the prime-time spotlight, with streaming giant Netflix hosting the 2026 MLB opener. Just before the first pitch, fans at Oracle Park and McCovey Cove saw a flurry of drones showcasing the U.S. flag during the singing of the National Anthem. The Yankees went on to defeat the Giants, 7-0. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Finally, Opening Day is here, and spring is upon us. Today we see the return of baseball, our America's Pastime. Everything the game stands for will come to light, from the yelling of "Play Ball" to the crack of the bat. Now we will embrace those late summer nights listening to the game on the radio and cheering on our favorite team and player. To the announcers calling the play-by-play and the beat writers pounding their story out to appear on, one and in print with their byline. This is what baseball is all about. Baseball is back! As the saying goes, "I live for this!" Today we all live again: the baseball fan, scribe, player, and the kids. Baseball returns! Hallelujah! Until then, see you at the park! — Joe Boesch 

Available today beginning at 1:00 p.m. (EST) is the Topps Now 2026 Road to Opening Day. If you like the Topps Now series of cards, you will like this special set. According to the Topps website: The 2026 Topps NOW® Road to Opening Day program features team sets from all 30 MLB® clubs – and brand new for 2026 – an Autograph Collector's Box! Look for on-card autographs numbered to 99 or less and dual autographs limited to 5 copies or less! Since 2017, Topps NOW® has started up each Major League Baseball season with Road to Opening Day. These collectible team sets feature top stars and rookies, along with new talent acquired over the offseason – signaling that Opening Day is just around the corner! Visit the Topps website for more details at https: //www.topps.com/pages/topps-now-road-to-opening-day So get ready for Opening Day and remember it with a Topps Now card. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Venezuela wins it in grand fashion against the United States, 3-2. With the WBC over, now the MLB season can begin and Spring Training can finish up for all the teams, with many managers breathing a sigh of relief that they didn't lose a player to injury in the classic. Ok, I'm off my soapbox, and with that, head over to the Topps website and get your Team Venezuela cards or any other cards that are available within a limited time period. Here's the saying on the back of Venezuela's card when they clinched to enter their first WBC Classic: Every Team Venezuela fan has every reason to be excited after seeing their squad reach the first World Baseball Classic final in team history. Thanks to clutch hits by Eugenio Suárez, Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez, Venezuela edged out Italy in a 4-2 win. Venezuela will meet Team USA in what's sure to be a must-watch event to crown the 2026 champion. Until then, see you back at Spring Training. — Joe Boesch 

Team USA had one mission in mind: to make it to the WBC finals, and they accomplished that. From Aaron Judge to Paul Skenes to the whole team, they meshed as one and played some great ball. Two of the heroes are Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony, who have their own Topps Now card. The story on the back of their card tells it all: Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony will forever be tied for providing the offense Team USA needed in their 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic. Down 1-0 in the fourth inning, Henderson blasted a 95-mph fastball to right-center field to tie things up. Two at-bats later, Anthony smacked a go-ahead shot for what proved to be enough to reach the World Baseball Classic final. I will be showcasing all Topps Now cards throughout the MLB season; the cards tell unique stories from each game. So, until then, enjoy the WBC. — Joe Boesch 

Team Italy is making their name heard in the WBC; besides making a good cup of espresso, they are also playing great baseball and showing the world that. With all the fanfare, they also have another WBC special Topps Now card offered. With that, here's the verbiage on the back: Team Italy's perfect run during the 2026 World Baseball Classic continued with their 8-6 win over Puerto Rico. Thanks to a four-run opening frame, the Italians never looked back and reached the semifinals for the first time in tournament history. "I heard that after the last out, the people there were screaming in Italian," Italy Manager Francisco Cervelli said. Until then, see you at the WBC. Oh, by the way, one large espresso to go, please! — Joe Boesch 

For the first time in World Baseball Classic history, Team Canada advanced past the first round and will look to go even further in the tournament. For advancing, they now have their own Topps Now card. The verbiage on the back of their card about their accomplishment says: Team Canada fans have plenty of reason to smile, securing the top seed in Pool A with their 7-2 win over Cuba. Thanks to Cal Quantrill's five shutout innings and Owen Caissie and Otto Lopez combining for four RBI, Canada is headed to the quarterfinals for the first time in World Baseball Classic history. "I'm very excited about it," Canada Manager Ernie Whitt said. Until then, see you at the WBC! — Joe Boesch 

Drinking coffee is a national pastime in itself, as I myself enjoy a good cup or two, especially when I'm working, writing, or in casual conversation. That can also be said for Team Italy competing in the World Baseball Classic as they celebrate a home run with a cup of espresso. That's right up my alley. With their unique caffeine habits, Topps Now has an exclusive WBC card, and their reasoning will make a coffee lover fall in love with this team. Here's the wording on the back of their Topps Now card: A caffeinated Team Italy got off to a roaring start in their World Baseball Classic opener, dominating in an 8-0 shutout of Team Brazil. Making its return in the win was the team's famed espresso machine, which first appeared during the 2023 tournament. "In Italy, we drink coffee about 20 times a day," Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said. "It's a tradition." Until then, see you at Cafe Espresso! — Joe Boesch 

Aaron Judge continues to hit home runs like it's "Child's Play," and now he's doing that in the World Baseball Classic, slugging one in his first WBC at bat. The captain is leading the way for Team USA, which is the favorite to win this year and compared to the Olympic Dream Team. With that, he has a Topps Now card produced for him, and here's the wording from the back of his Topps Now card: Aaron Judge was the first to commit to playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic – and he'd deliver the squad's first runs in his first career World Baseball Classic at-bat. The outfielder hit a two-run blast in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for a 15-5 triumph over Team Brazil. "An unreal atmosphere…looking forward to more moments like that as the tournament goes on," Judge said. Until then, see you at the WBC. — Joe Boesch 

As I've noted in the past, one of the best in the MLB is Shohei Ohtani. Simply one of the best, and as I watch him in the World Baseball Classic, I'm just amazed at what he does either pitching, batting, or playing the field. Now he's also the first player to hit a grand slam in the WBC. For his feat, here's his Topps Now card and what the back of his card says about him: Should baseball fans be surprised to hear Shohei Ohtani went yard in Team Japan's 13-0 win against Chinese Taipei? The Japanese headliner slugged his first career World Baseball Classic grand slam in the second frame, beginning his nation's title defense on the right foot. Ohtani graced the Tokyo Dome crowd with a 3-for-4, 5-RBl effort, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. Until then, see you at the WBC. — Joe Boesch 

" DEATH IN THE STRIKE ZONE: The Mystery of America's First Baseball Hero ," by Thomas W. Gilbert If baseball's essential appeal is that it gives us heroes, James Creighton was its first. Oddly, you probably have never heard of him. In New York City during America's Civil War, Creighton invented something new in baseball—modern pitching. With lethal movement, exquisite control and a low release point, he was utterly dominant. Mesmerizing. Dynamic. Unhittable. His very short career is a long list of firsts: Creighton threw the first fastball. He threw the first curveball. He was baseball's first star. And its first tragedy. The star pitcher collapsed during a game in 1862 and died four days later at the age of 21. This spring, the baseball world will revel in being reminded of one of its quintessential early legends with the release of the new book " DEATH IN THE STRIKE ZONE: The Mystery of America's First Baseball Hero ," by Thomas W. Gilbert (Dav...

The Peace Plan The World Baseball Classic begins Tuesday, March 3rd. Not only will this be an international event, but also a political one. With all the problems in the world today, maybe this event will bring the nations to understand peace and each other's culture. I'm not a politician but a baseball writer at best, and this event, like the Olympics, will hopefully open the eyes of many politicians to see that sports can maybe broker peace in the world. The WBC will begin March 3rd and finish up with the Classic Final on Tuesday, March 17th. Let's enjoy it and not think about the problems in the world. Injury Concerns Injuries concern me about having the World Baseball Classic in March. I know injuries are unpredictable for players, but it's the beginning of Spring Training and players are still training to get into shape. I expressed this before when the WBC first started and still think moving it makes more sense. Here are my concerns: What if any player (we saw wh...

If you love baseball, this quote says it all. The perfect quote for the beginning of Spring Training. I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day, and I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it. — Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski — Joe Boesch