In the realm of sports memorabilia, an exciting card has emerged in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set – none other than NFL legend Tom Brady’s 1995 draft pick card. Promoted as Brady’s first official baseball card, this claim holds true strictly considering fully completed cards distributed in packs. However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Brady has made an appearance on a baseball card issued by Topps.
Cast your mind back to 2014, when Topps Five Star Baseball featured Brady’s name among its autograph cards. These cards were tantalizingly included as redemptions in packs, but what makes this more intriguing is that after nine years, these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors eagerly awaiting their arrival. Notably, other NFL quarterbacks like John Elway and Dan Marino, who were also drafted by MLB teams, were on the original checklist.
The 2014 release holds significance as it represented Topps’ final season with both the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini acquired exclusive rights. This transition might help explain the delay in releasing the actual autographed cards. However, for collectors who have been eagerly waiting, the reasons behind the delay offer little consolation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady, now retired from football with an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics (the current owner of Topps), is showcased in the Bowman Draft set. The set boasts a total of 81 signed Brady cards, each offering unique versions such as the Gold Refractor (limited to 50 copies), Orange Refractors (limited to 25 copies), Red Refractors (limited to 5 copies), and the highly sought-after one-of-a-kind Superfractor. Some cards even come with special inscriptions, adding an extra touch of exclusivity.
In addition to the signed versions, there is also a rare unsigned card featuring a young Brady donning a Montreal Expos uniform. This card pays homage to the time when Montreal selected Brady as a catcher straight out of high school in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. As we know, Brady ultimately chose college football, setting the stage for his legendary NFL career.
While the excitement surrounding Brady’s appearance in the 2023 Bowman Draft is palpable, there remains an ongoing curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption card. Collectors have reached out to Topps representatives seeking updates on its production status, hoping for any news that could satisfy their anticipation.
As of now, the fate of the 2014 redemption card remains uncertain. The collecting community eagerly awaits any further information and eagerly anticipates the fulfillment of these long-awaited autograph cards. Only time will tell when these elusive cards will finally make their way into the hands of devoted collectors, adding another layer of rarity and value to Tom Brady’s ever-growing legacy.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set offers an exciting glimpse into Tom Brady’s baseball past, spotlighting his first official baseball card. While the claim is true considering fully completed cards distributed in packs, it’s important to acknowledge Brady’s earlier appearance on a 2014 Topps Five Star redemption card that still leaves collectors eagerly waiting. The anticipation surrounding these cards, combined with Brady’s exclusive autograph deal and the unique versions in the Bowman Draft set, has only heightened the enthusiasm of collectors worldwide.