Topps NOW Releases 1,000 New Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes Cards, Collectors Struggling to Keep Up

 

Topps has once again set the card-collecting world ablaze with their latest release of Topps NOW cards, commemorating every single thing Shohei Ohtani does in a Dodgers uniform and Paul Skenes’ rise to stardom with the Pirates. Fans of both players are scrambling to keep up with the near-hourly drops, which now range from highlight-reel home runs to “minorly impressive batting practice swings.”

Ohtani’s Day at Dodgers Blue Brings Historic Levels of Topps NOW Cards

Since his controversial signing with the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani’s Topps NOW presence has reached unprecedented levels. What started as a tribute to his historic two-way skills has now turned into something bordering on the absurd. Every time Ohtani even breathes in a Dodgers jersey, Topps is ready to drop another card.

“We couldn’t resist,” said a Topps spokesperson, while casually unboxing the 348th Ohtani Topps NOW release of the season. “Fans demand it, and Shohei’s done a lot since joining the Dodgers. Just last week, he walked out of the dugout, adjusted his cap, and blinked twice — we immediately knew we had to commemorate it. It’s a moment that deserves to be immortalized.”

Collectors can now enjoy such highlights as:

• Shohei Ohtani Tips His Cap to the Umpire (Topps NOW #234)
• Shohei Ohtani Signs a Kid’s Baseball (Topps NOW #456)
• Shohei Ohtani Caught Eating a Hot Dog Between Innings (Topps NOW #679)
• Shohei Ohtani Breaks Personal Best for Longest Yawn (Topps NOW #982)

“It's like having a personalized daily newsletter in card form,” said one over-caffeinated Ohtani superfan, clutching a stack of freshly printed cards. “I mean, if Shohei’s doing something, I need it in a slab. What’s next, a card of him scrolling through Instagram in the bullpen? Honestly, I’d buy it.”

Paul Skenes: Topps Now Documents Every Step of His Pirates Journey

On the other side of the diamond, Paul Skenes has become the rookie sensation of the Pirates, and Topps hasn’t wasted any time capitalizing on his every move. Since his major league debut, Topps NOW has released over 500 cards featuring Skenes’ journey from pitching phenom to “guy who did a thing.”

“It’s important to capture the excitement of Skenes' entire career,” said another Topps executive, fanning through a stack of cards celebrating Skenes for throwing warm-up pitches in the bullpen. “Whether he’s throwing a 100 mph fastball or tying his shoelaces before the game, we’re here to ensure collectors don’t miss a single moment.”

Recent hits from the Skenes catalog include:

• Paul Skenes Blinks at the Catcher for a Sign (Topps NOW #167)
• Paul Skenes Strikes Out a Minor Leaguer in Scranton (Topps NOW #288)
• Paul Skenes Breathes Deeply to Calm His Nerves (Topps NOW #411)
• Paul Skenes Celebrates Pirates’ 4-1 Loss with a Polite Handshake (Topps NOW #530)

One enthusiastic Pirates fan, who goes by @BucsFan4Life on Twitter, declared, “Look, I’m tired of hearing about Ohtani. Skenes is where it’s at now. Did you see that card of him adjusting his belt before throwing a pitch? That’s rookie-of-the-year level stuff. I’m framing it.”

Collectors Struggling to Keep Up with Avalanche of Cards

While some die-hard fans are delighted to buy a Topps NOW card for every breath their favorite player takes, other collectors are starting to crack under the pressure.

“It’s just… there’s so many of them,” said Todd Jenkins, a Dodgers fan who now spends most of his days sorting through Ohtani cards in his basement. “I thought I could keep up. But there was one yesterday of Ohtani just sitting in the dugout, and now today there’s another one of him standing in the same spot but with a different facial expression. I’m starting to lose track of what’s even happening anymore.”

Rumors have surfaced that Topps is preparing to launch a Topps NOW: Behind the Scenes series, which will feature Ohtani and Skenes in more intimate, everyday moments, such as:

• Shohei Ohtani Watching Netflix on Team Bus
• Paul Skenes Eating Postgame Nachos at Chili's
• Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes Simultaneously Contemplate Life's Meaning in Different Cities (Dual Auto!)

“I’m waiting for the inevitable Ohtani Opens the Fridge and Considers a Snack release,” joked one collector. “That one might actually break the hobby.”

Topps Prepares for the Next Wave

Despite the growing number of Topps NOW cards saturating the market, Topps is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, they’re ramping up production for the postseason, preparing to celebrate even the most mundane of baseball activities.

“Topps NOW is all about capturing the moment,” said the spokesperson, holding up a mock-up of their next release: Shohei Ohtani Picks Up a Baseball Off the Mound. “We’re committed to making sure that if something happens, no matter how small or irrelevant, you can bet we’ll have a card for it within 24 hours.”

As Ohtani and Skenes continue to grace the diamond, collectors everywhere will remain glued to their screens, ready to drop $9.99 on the latest cardboard rendition of the most fleeting baseball moments. Because, let’s be honest: who wouldn’t want a limited-edition holographic parallel of Ohtani tying his shoelaces?