Home
Blog
There's no need to wait for Bruce's big-league cardboard ...

There's no need to wait for Bruce's big-league cardboard ...

This entry was posted on June 27, 2025 by BlowoutBuzz.

Yes, Bruce the bat dog got the call to be so close to being a big-leaguer ... but the official MLB cardboard hasn't happened yet.

Earlier this month, the Washington Nationals promoted the golden retriever from Triple-A Rochester for a day in The Show but he didn't see any in-game action. He arrived in his uniform bandana and his MLB Debut patch attached (click the MLB image at right for a closer look) for a pre-game ceremonial moment as part of Pups it the Park. But ... he didn't make the cut for Topps Now since, pawsumingly, he wasn't used in the game.

(Woof.)

No worries, though. This on-the-diamond superstar is a merch machine for the Rochester Red Wings where he made his debut just last September. He's got pawtographed parallel versions of his first MiLB baseball card -- they feature prints uniquely placed on each one -- that raise money for charity.

The print is from Bruce -- as a puppy -- but he didn't "sign" every single one of them. It's a stamp placed by hand on every $3 card the team sells with a portion of the proceeds going to Bruce's charities, Honor Flight and Veterans Outreach Center, according to the Red Wings. (It's the same as his regular card ... just with the unique stamp added.)

The $10 team set made by Choice includes Bruce and 30 other teammates, including a few prospects you might know from the MLB Draft, a couple of former MLB players among the coaches (Matt LeCroy and Brian Daubach), a few others who have MLB playing time and some second-generation names you might know with one of them a former toddler batboy-turned-big-league rookie for the Nationals last season, Darren Baker. There also are mascots and other spots on the roster -- non-players -- who'll be found here in a set like this, unlike an MLB release.

If that's just not enough Bruce for you, well, you can retrieve a shirt, jersey or even a plush version of him in the official Bruce section of the team's store.

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com

This entry was posted in Baseball, MiLB Madness and tagged MiLB, MLB, Washington Nationals, mascots, Rochester Red Wings, Choice, Darren Baker, MLB Debut patches, Bruce, Bruce the bat dog, 2025 Choice Rochester Red Wings, Matt LeCroy, Brian Daubach on June 27, 2025 by BlowoutBuzz. ← Previous Post Next Post →

SEARCH BUZZ'S ARCHIVES

WHAT'S BUZZING ...

What's new? See all of our First Buzz previews by clicking above.

Making The Grade: What Buzz slabbed or grabbed each month is here.

Collecting Game-used: Buzz photo-matches and talks about memorabilia every month.

Buzz Buys: Buzz shows off new pick-ups and tells us why he likes them.

Book it, Buzz: Collect autographs on a budget? Check out this monthly series about autographed books.

MiLB Madness: A monthly look at oddities found in minor-league baseball card sets.

Buzz's Fantastic Four A new series looking at four interesting or must-own cards each time.

Ticket Stud or Ticket Dud? Collecting tickets on the cheap in this regular series.

NEW RELEASES

Baseball (all dates subject to change)
Oct. 1 - 2025 Panini Three & Two
Oct. 1 - 2025 TRISTAR H.T. Gr. Slam
Oct. 8 - 2025 Bowman Chrome Mega
Oct. 22 - 2025 Topps Diamond Icons
Oct. 22 - 2025 Topps Holiday
Oct. 23 - 2025 Pulse Series 2 Retail
Oct. 24 - 2025 Leaf Lumber
Oct. 30 - 2025 Onyx Vintage Extended
Oct. 31 - 2025 Leaf A Bronx Legacy
Oct. TBD - 2025 Leaf Vivid
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse All Star
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse DSE
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Foundry
Oct. TBD - 2024 Pulse Lumin HSE
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Stratos HHS
Oct. TBD - 2024 Wild Card 5 Card SD
Oct. TBD - 2024 Wild Card Splat

Basketball
Oct. 16 - 2025 Donruss WNBA
Oct. TBD - 2024-25 Prizm Black

Football
Oct. 1 - 2025 Leaf Vivid
Oct. 8 - 2025 Panini Black
Oct. 9 - 2024 Panini Flawless
Oct. 10 - 2025 Panini Certified
Oct. 10 - 2025 Donruss Hobby Tin
Oct. 10 - 2025 TRISTAR H.T. Minis PSE
Oct. 15 - 2025 Panini Impeccable
Oct. 16 - 2024 Panini Eminence
Oct. 17 - 2025 TRISTAR H.T. Jerseys 2
Oct. 22 - 2025 Panini Absolute
Oct. 23 - 2025 Pulse Retail 2
Oct. 24 - 2025 Panini Mosaic
Oct. 29 - 2025 Panini Phoenix
Oct. 31 - 2025 Panini Prizm Draft
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Foundry HSE
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Meridian HSE
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Stratos HSE
Oct. TBD - 2024 TruMystery Chips
Oct. TBD - 2025 Wild Card Comix R&L
Oct. TBD - 2025 Wild Card Metallix PD

Hockey
Oct. 8 - 2024-25 Ultimate Collection
Oct. 15 - 2025-26 UD Series 1
Oct. 29 - 2024-25 UD Premier
Oct. TBD - 2024-25 Engrained Icons

Other/Multi-sports
Oct. 1 - 2025 Topps Triumphant Tennis
Oct. 3 - 2025 Leaf Metal Halloween
Oct. 3 - 2025 Panini Absolute K League
Oct. 3 - 2025 Panini Turn Four Racing
Oct. 3 - 2025 Wild Card Haunted Hits
Oct. 6 - 2025 Futera World Unique 21
Oct. 10 - 2025 Leaf History Book SE 2
Oct. 15 - 2025 S.B. Supercharged 2
Oct. 17 - 2024-25 Panini Noir Soccer
Oct. 17 - 2025 Topps UFC Knockout
Oct. 22 - 2025 Panini Impeccable LIV
Oct. 24 - 2025 Panini Prizm NASCAR
Oct. 29 - 2025 Panini Combat Anth.
Oct. TBD - 2025 AEW SP Game Used

Non-sports
Oct. 1 - Topps Chrome Spongebob
Oct. 9 - Keepsake Invincible S1P
Oct. 10 - Topps Chrome Dune
Oct. 15 - Historic Autos 15th
Oct. 15 - Historic Autos WWII
Oct. 15 - Topps Disney Wonder
Oct. 17 - Pieces of Past Royalty
Oct. 30 - Decision Color Cut SE
Oct. TBD - Keepsake Bob Marley
Oct. TBD - Pieces of Past Asia

Gaming
Oct. 10 - Pokemon ME Build & Battle
Oct. 10 - Pokemon Mega Latias EX
Oct. 10 - Pokemon S&R EX PC
Oct. 10 - Yugioh CD: Fallen & Virtuous
Oct. 24 - Pokemon Trainer's Tool Kit
Oct. 24 - Pokemon Gengar/Diancie
Oct. TBD - Pokemon S&V Pri. Ev. PFC

Click here for future dates.

MORE BUZZ-WORTHY ...