In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and valuable items. One such item that has recently caught the attention of fans and collectors alike is Tom Brady’s first “official” baseball card. Topps, the leading trading card company, has included a special card featuring a young Tom Brady in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set. While Topps promotes this as Brady’s first official baseball card, there is more to the story.
The card in question is a 1995 draft pick card, showcasing Brady in 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. However, Brady ultimately decided to pursue a career in college football, leading to his legendary NFL journey.
The 2023 Bowman Draft set includes a total of 81 signed Tom Brady cards. These cards feature various versions, such as the highly sought-after Gold Refractor of which only 50 copies were made, the even rarer Orange Refractors limited to 25 copies, the ultra-scarce Red Refractors with just 5 copies, and the one-of-a-kind Superfractor. Collectors are particularly drawn to the Superfractor card, which is considered the ultimate gem in any card collection.
Furthermore, some of the signed Tom Brady cards in the set come with unique inscriptions, adding an extra layer of excitement for collectors who are eager to own a piece of Brady’s legacy. These inscriptions provide a glimpse into Brady’s remarkable career and personal mottos.
While the inclusion of Brady’s card in the 2023 Bowman Draft set is significant, it is not the first time he has made an appearance on a baseball card. Back in 2014, Topps released their Five Star Baseball set, which featured autograph cards of various athletes, including Tom Brady. These cards, however, were included as redemptions in packs, meaning collectors had to wait for their Brady autographed cards to be fulfilled.
Unfortunately, nearly nine years have passed, and collectors are still eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of these redemptions. This situation has left many wondering about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Inquiries have been made to Topps representatives, but the production status of these cards remains uncertain. Collectors and fans hope to receive updates about these long-awaited autographed cards in the near future.
It is worth noting that the delay in fulfilling the 2014 redemptions could be attributed to the shift in licensing rights. Panini acquired the exclusive rights to produce NFL trading cards after the 2015 season, marking the end of Topps’ NFL and NFLPA licenses. This transition likely played a role in the delay, though it offers little consolation to collectors who have been patiently waiting for their Tom Brady autographed cards.
As Tom Brady embarks on the next chapter of his career, retiring from football and signing an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, who now owns Topps, the inclusion of his first “official” baseball card in the 2023 Bowman Draft set has added excitement to the collecting world. It serves as a reminder of Brady’s past as a potential baseball player and his journey to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
While the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set showcases Tom Brady’s first “official” baseball card, collectors remain hopeful for the fulfillment of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady autographed cards. The anticipation continues, and any future updates regarding these cards will undoubtedly be eagerly shared within the collecting community.