In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and rare items. The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has caught the attention of fans and collectors alike with its inclusion of a special card featuring none other than NFL legend Tom Brady. Topps, the company behind this set, is promoting it as Brady’s first official baseball card, but there’s more to the story.
If we consider only fully completed cards distributed in packs, then the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card can indeed claim the title of Tom Brady’s first official baseball card. However, this isn’t the first time Brady has appeared on a baseball card issued by Topps. That distinction goes back to 2014, with the release of Topps Five Star Baseball.
In the 2014 release, Brady was listed among the autograph cards. These cards were included as redemptions in packs, meaning collectors would receive a code to redeem for the actual autographed card at a later date. However, it has been nine years since the release, and these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled. This has left collectors in anticipation and curiosity about the fate of these elusive cards.
It’s worth noting that other quarterbacks who were also drafted by MLB teams, such as John Elway and Dan Marino, were part of the original checklist for the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball release. The inclusion of Brady in this set hinted at his potential baseball career, adding another layer of intrigue for collectors.
The delay in releasing these autographed cards could be attributed to a significant shift that happened after the 2014 release. Topps, who held the NFL and NFLPA licenses at the time, lost their exclusive rights to Panini. This change might have affected the production and release of the autographed cards, leaving collectors wondering when and if they will ever receive their long-awaited Brady redemption cards.
Now, in 2023, Tom Brady finds himself retired from football but still in the sports collectibles spotlight. With an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps, Brady’s presence in the Bowman Draft Baseball set is highly anticipated. The set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, each with different versions and rarities like the Gold, Orange, and Red Refractors. The crown jewel of the collection is the one-of-one Superfractor.
Collectors will not only find autographed cards, but there is also a rare unsigned version available. This particular card showcases a young Tom Brady donning a Montreal Expos uniform, paying homage to his selection as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose a path in college football, a decision that led to his legendary NFL career.
While collectors are excited about the new Brady card in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set, there is still ongoing curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Inquiries have been made to Topps representatives to get updates on its production status, but collectors are left waiting for any new information to be shared with the collecting community.
Whether it’s the newly introduced Brady card or the lingering mystery of the 2014 redemption, Tom Brady’s presence in the baseball card world continues to capture the attention and imagination of fans and collectors. As the story unfolds, the excitement and anticipation remain high for all those hoping to add a piece of Tom Brady’s baseball legacy to their cherished collections.
