Extra Innings by 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