In the realm of sports memorabilia, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has become the talk of the town with its inclusion of a unique card featuring none other than NFL legend Tom Brady. Topps claims that this card is Brady’s first official baseball card, and while it may be true when considering fully completed cards distributed in packs, it is not the first time Brady has appeared on a baseball card issued by Topps.
The initial appearance of Brady on a Topps baseball card dates back to the 2014 release of Topps Five Star Baseball. This set included autograph cards, with Brady among the listed players. However, these autograph cards were not immediately available in packs; instead, they were included as redemptions. Nine years later, collectors are still eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of these redemptions, causing much frustration and anticipation. Interestingly, fellow quarterbacks John Elway and Dan Marino, who were also drafted by MLB teams, were part of the original checklist.
The delay in releasing Brady’s autographed baseball cards from 2014 may be attributed to a significant shift that occurred that year. It was the last season that Topps held the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini acquired exclusive rights. The change in ownership, along with other factors, likely contributed to the prolonged delay. However, for collectors who have been patiently waiting, the reasons behind the delay offer little consolation.
Now, in 2023, Tom Brady, having retired from football and entered into an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics (which now owns Topps), is featured in the Bowman Draft. This set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, each with its own unique version, such as the Gold Refractor (limited to 50 copies), Orange Refractors (limited to 25 copies), Red Refractors (limited to 5 copies), and a one-of-one Superfractor. Some cards even feature special inscriptions, adding to their allure.
Furthermore, there exists a rare unsigned version of the Brady card, which showcases a young Brady in a Montreal Expos uniform. This card pays tribute to when Brady was selected by the Montreal Expos straight out of high school in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose a career in college football, setting the stage for his legendary journey in the NFL.
Despite the excitement surrounding Brady’s appearance in the 2023 Bowman Draft, collectors are still plagued by curiosity regarding the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Many inquiries have been made to Topps representatives regarding the production status of these cards, and the collecting community eagerly awaits any updates on this long-awaited redemption.
As the Tom Brady card saga continues, collectors and fans alike remain hopeful that the redemption cards from 2014 will finally see the light of day. For now, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set stands as an intriguing addition to the realm of sports memorabilia, capturing the iconic Tom Brady in a whole new light.
