In the world of sports memorabilia, there’s always a sense of excitement when a new card is released, especially if it features an iconic athlete like Tom Brady. Recently, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set made waves by featuring a unique card that grabs attention right away – a 1995 draft pick card of none other than the legendary NFL quarterback himself. Topps, the company behind the card, is promoting it as Brady’s first official baseball card, leading to much speculation and debate among collectors and enthusiasts.
On the surface, it’s easy to see why this claim holds some weight. After all, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card is a fully completed card included in packs for collectors to find and cherish. However, digging a little deeper reveals that this isn’t the first time Tom Brady has appeared on a baseball card distributed by Topps.
Back in 2014, Topps released a series called Topps Five Star Baseball, featuring autograph cards of various athletes, including Tom Brady. These autograph cards were included as redemptions in packs, meaning collectors could redeem them for the actual signed cards at a later date. Unfortunately, nearly a decade has passed since that release, and those who eagerly sought out the Tom Brady autograph redemption are still waiting. The delay has caused frustration and anticipation among collectors, leaving many curious about the fate of these elusive cards.
It’s worth noting that the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball release was significant for another reason. It marked the last season that Topps held the licenses for both the NFL and NFLPA (NFL Players Association) before those rights were exclusively acquired by Panini. This shift in licensing might have played a role in the delay of the actual autographed Tom Brady cards being released. While the reasons behind the delay may not be satisfying for collectors who have been patiently waiting, it does offer some perspective on the situation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady has retired from football, but his presence is still felt in the sports collectibles world. With an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps, Brady now features in the Bowman Draft Baseball set. This set includes a total of 81 different signed Brady cards, with each card offering a unique version. Collectors can find cards like the Gold Refractor, limited to just 50 copies, as well as the Orange Refractors (25 copies), Red Refractors (5 copies), and the coveted one-of-one Superfractor. Some cards even come with special inscriptions, adding an extra touch of rarity and value.
Furthermore, within the set, there is a rare unsigned version that pays homage to Brady’s baseball endeavors. This card features a young Brady in a Montreal Expos uniform, inspired by the design of the 1995 Bowman Baseball cards. During the 1995 MLB Draft, the Montreal Expos selected Brady as a catcher straight out of high school in the 18th round. However, Brady ultimately chose the path of college football, leading him to an illustrious NFL career and becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
While the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has created buzz around Brady’s “first” official baseball card, the lingering question remains about the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady autograph redemption. Collectors and enthusiasts have made inquiries to Topps representatives regarding the production status of these cards, eagerly awaiting any updates that will hopefully bring resolution to this long-standing anticipation.
In conclusion, the story of Tom Brady’s “first” baseball card is a fascinating one. With the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set showcasing his draft pick card and his appearance in the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball set yet to be fulfilled, collectors and fans are left intrigued and excited for what the future holds in the world of Tom Brady sports memorabilia.
