In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and rare items. The recent release of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has stirred up excitement, as it features an unexpected addition: a card of none other than NFL icon Tom Brady. This card is being promoted as Brady’s first official baseball card, but there is a twist to the story.
Officially, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card is indeed the first fully completed card of Tom Brady distributed in packs. However, this isn’t the first time that Brady has appeared on a baseball card issued by the renowned card company, Topps.
Back in 2014, Topps released the Five Star Baseball set, which included autograph cards of Tom Brady. These cards were included as redemptions in packs, meaning collectors could redeem them for the actual autographed card. Unfortunately, nine years have passed, and these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors in anticipation. Interestingly, other NFL quarterbacks like John Elway and Dan Marino, who were also drafted by MLB teams, were part of the initial checklist.
The delay in fulfilling the 2014 redemption may be attributed to Topps losing the NFL and NFLPA licenses after that season. Panini acquired the exclusive rights, and this change likely affected the production and release of the autographed cards. For collectors eagerly waiting for the Brady redemption, the reasons behind the delay offer little consolation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady, now retired from football, is featured in the Bowman Draft Baseball set. With an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps, Brady has a total of 81 signed cards in the set. These cards come in various versions, including the Gold Refractor (limited to 50 copies), Orange Refractors (limited to 25 copies), Red Refractors (limited to 5 copies), and a one-of-a-kind Superfractor. Some cards even feature unique inscriptions, adding further intrigue for collectors.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the set is the rare unsigned version of the Tom Brady card. This card showcases a younger Brady wearing a Montreal Expos uniform, paying homage to when he was selected by the team straight out of high school in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose college football, leading to a legendary NFL career, but this card serves as a reminder of the alternate path he could have taken.
Despite the excitement surrounding the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card, collectors still wonder about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Collectors have reached out to Topps representatives for updates on its production status, but as of now, the collecting community eagerly awaits any news or updates on the long-awaited autographed card.
In the ever-evolving world of sports memorabilia, the addition of Tom Brady’s first official baseball card to the 2023 Bowman Draft set has created quite a buzz. Whether it’s the unique unsigned version or the different signed versions to collect, enthusiasts and fans alike continue to eagerly seek out these rare and valuable items. And while the anticipation for the 2014 redemption card lingers, there’s no denying the excitement that surrounds this latest addition to the world of sports collectibles.
