Justin Topa, the Minnesota Twins pitcher, has turned his lifelong passion for baseball cards into a personal quest. After making his MLB debut in 2013, he finally received his own card in 2024 as part of the Topps series, which depicts Seattle Mariners players. This moment represents a full-circle achievement for Topa, who once stood along foul lines as a child collecting signatures.

His journey to complete the set has led him to seek specific cards with rare features, like the one matching his jersey number, 48. Despite being sidelined with a knee injury last season, Topa stayed active in the hobby, using social media to connect with fellow collectors. He’s received generous offers from fans and fellow players, all while reminiscing about his cherished memories of collecting with his father.