In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and significant items. The recently released 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has caught the attention of many due to its inclusion of Tom Brady’s first official baseball card. Topps, the brand behind the set, has been promoting this card as a milestone in Brady’s collectible history.
The card in question features a young Tom Brady, wearing a Montreal Expos uniform, which pays homage to when Brady was drafted as a catcher by the Expos in the 1995 MLB Draft. At that time, Brady had to make a difficult decision between pursuing a career in baseball or college football. Ultimately, he chose football, leading him to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
While Topps claims that this is Brady’s first official baseball card, some collectors beg to differ. In 2014, Topps released the Five Star Baseball set, which included autograph cards featuring Brady. However, these cards were issued as redemptions, meaning collectors had to wait for their cards to be produced and shipped to them. Unfortunately, nearly a decade later, these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors in a state of anticipation.
The 2014 release was especially significant because it marked the last season in which Topps held the licenses for both the NFL and NFLPA. After that, the exclusive rights went to Panini, causing a shift in the production and distribution of football trading cards. Speculation suggests that this change may have played a role in the delay of the Brady autographed cards.
Now, in 2023, with Brady retired from football and Topps under new ownership by Fanatics, the iconic quarterback finally makes his official baseball card debut in the Bowman Draft set. The set features a total of 81 signed Tom Brady cards, each with different versions and limited quantities. Collectors can find cards like the Gold Refractor, with only 50 copies available, as well as Orange Refractors (25 copies), Red Refractors (5 copies), and the highly coveted one-of-one Superfractor.
Brady’s autographed cards in the Bowman Draft set are not the only ones catching collectors’ attention. There’s also a rare unsigned version that showcases the young Brady in his Montreal Expos uniform, reminiscent of his days as a potential baseball player. This card is based on the 1995 Bowman Baseball design and adds another layer of intrigue to the collection.
While collectors are excited about the inclusion of Brady’s official baseball card in the 2023 Bowman Draft set, the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption remains unknown. Many collectors have reached out to Topps representatives inquiring about the status of these cards, hoping for some clarity or updates. The collecting community eagerly awaits any news regarding the production and distribution of these long-awaited cards.
In conclusion, the arrival of Tom Brady’s official baseball card in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has caused a stir among collectors. While some dispute the claim that this is his first official baseball card, the significance of this release cannot be denied. As collectors continue to wait for the fulfillment of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption, their attention turns to the potential rarity and value of these newly released cards. The excitement surrounding Brady’s foray into the world of baseball memorabilia is palpable, and collectors eagerly anticipate what the future holds for his collectible legacy.
