In the world of sports memorabilia, there is always a great deal of excitement surrounding the release of new and unique cards. One such card that has caught the attention of collectors is Tom Brady’s “official” baseball card. This card is part of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set and is being heralded as Brady’s first official baseball card.
Topps, the company behind the card, claims that this is indeed Brady’s first official baseball card when considering fully completed cards distributed in packs. However, it should be noted that this is not the first time Brady has appeared on a baseball card. In fact, the first occurrence can be traced back to the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball set.
In 2014, Topps included Tom Brady in their autograph cards as redemptions. These cards, however, have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors eagerly awaiting their arrival. It is worth mentioning that other legendary quarterbacks, such as John Elway and Dan Marino, were also part of the original checklist. The delay in the release of these autographed cards is a source of frustration for collectors, but the reasons behind it remain unclear.
The 2014 Topps Five Star release was particularly significant because it marked the final season that Topps held the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini took over exclusive rights. This transition may have played a role in the delay of the autographed cards’ release. For collectors who have been patiently waiting, the reasons behind the delay may not provide much consolation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady’s appearance on a baseball card has finally come to fruition. Retired from football and with an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics (the current owner of Topps), Brady is now featured in the Bowman Draft set. The set offers a total of 81 signed Tom Brady cards, each with its own uniqueness. Collectors can find versions like the Gold Refractor (limited to 50 copies), Orange Refractors (limited to 25 copies), Red Refractors (limited to 5 copies), and even a one-of-a-kind Superfractor. Some cards even come with unique inscriptions, adding to their collectability.
Among these 81 signed cards, there is also a rare unsigned version that depicts a young Tom Brady wearing a Montreal Expos uniform. This design pays homage to the time when Brady was selected as a catcher by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft straight out of high school. Brady, of course, ultimately chose a career in college football, leading to his legendary NFL success.
While collectors eagerly embrace the 2023 Bowman Draft cards, there remains ongoing curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Enquiries have been made to Topps representatives regarding the production status of these long-awaited cards, and any updates on their release will undoubtedly be eagerly shared with the collecting community.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set is bringing Tom Brady’s first “official” baseball card to collectors’ hands, featuring unique versions and inscriptions that add to their charm. However, the anticipation surrounding the unfulfilled 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption keeps collectors hopeful that these elusive autographed cards will one day become a prized possession in their collections.
