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Topps Sterling Baseball is back with its 2025 release, hitting hobby shops on June 4 — and once again, it’s stacked with some of the most jaw-dropping cards in the hobby. Every box packs two autographed relics, all numbered to 25 or less, featuring the best of today’s stars, legends of the past, and a few rookies to keep an eye on.

New to this year’s checklist are cards like Shohei Ohtani’s “Club Charter Member Autograph” commemorating his historic 50/50 season and the “Legendary Cut Signature Jumbo Patch” series that pairs Hall of Famers with oversized relics. Throw in one-of-ones like bat knobs and nameplates, and you’ve got one of the most anticipated high-end products of the year.

Here’s a look at five must-chase cards from 2025 Topps Sterling Baseball and why each one deserves a spot on any collector’s wish list.

1. Shohei Ohtani – Game-Used Kanji Bat Relic with Kanji Autograph
Ohtani’s cards are always a highlight, but this one is next level. Featuring a piece of game-used bat inscribed with Japanese Kanji plus Ohtani’s own Kanji signature, this card is a true masterpiece. With Ohtani coming off a record-setting 50/50 season, the cultural and on-field significance make it one of the top pulls of 2025.

2. Willie Mays & John F. Kennedy – Dual Cut Autograph (“A Moment in Time” Insert)
This card captures a legendary moment: Willie Mays meeting President John F. Kennedy at the White House in 1962. The dual cut signature — one from each icon — is a collector’s dream, blending baseball and American history on one card. With Mays’ recent passing, this one is bound to be especially meaningful for fans.

3. Aaron Judge – Nameplate Game-Used Bat Autograph
Few players have the hobby star power of Aaron Judge. This card features a game-used bat nameplate and a clean on-card autograph, perfectly capturing the slugger’s impact on the game. Oversized bat letters always make a statement, and paired with a Yankee legend, it’s a card any collector would be proud to own.

4. Mookie Betts – Game-Used Bat Knob Auto 1/1
Bat knob cards are always showstoppers, and this 1-of-1 Mookie Betts is no different. It’s a true piece of the game — the end cap from one of his bats — with his signature. Between MVP seasons and clutch postseason heroics, Betts is a name that every serious collector wants in their showcase.

5. Shohei Ohtani – Charter Member 50/50 Club Autograph
Celebrating Ohtani’s entrance into the exclusive 50/50 Club, this card features a bold on-card autograph and a modern design. Ohtani’s 50 home run, 50 stolen base season has already become the stuff of legend, and this card captures that magic perfectly.

2025 Topps Sterling Baseball is loaded with hits for every type of collector. Whether you’re chasing superstars or searching for a piece of baseball history, this set has something special. And if you’re lucky enough to hit one of these gems, don’t forget to share it on Mantel — the app where collectors celebrate their latest pulls and connect with fellow hobbyists.