In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and valuable items. When it comes to trading cards, rarity and significance are crucial factors that determine their worth. Recently, a new addition to the trading card world has caught the attention of both football and baseball fans alike: Tom Brady’s first official baseball card.
The card in question is part of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set, and it features a young Tom Brady as a 1995 draft pick. Topps, the famous sports card manufacturer, is promoting this card as Brady’s first official baseball card, a claim that holds true if we consider only fully completed cards distributed in packs. However, it is worth noting that this is not the first time Brady has appeared on a baseball card issued by Topps.
Back in 2014, in their Five Star Baseball release, Topps included Tom Brady on the checklist as one of the autograph cards. These cards were meant to be included as redemptions in packs, allowing collectors to redeem them for the actual autographed card. However, nine years have passed, and these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors in anticipation and speculation. To add more intrigue, other legendary quarterbacks like John Elway and Dan Marino, who were also drafted by MLB teams, were part of the original checklist.
The 2014 Topps Five Star release holds a significant place in the history of trading cards as it was the last season Topps held the licenses for both the NFL and NFLPA before Panini acquired exclusive rights. This licensing shift might explain the delay in releasing the actual autographed cards, but 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 and with an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, finds himself featured in the Bowman Draft set. This set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, with various versions available, such as the Gold Refractor (limited to 50 copies), Orange Refractors (limited to 25 copies), Red Refractors (limited to 5 copies), and the highly coveted one-of-one Superfractor. Some of these cards even come with unique inscriptions, adding an extra layer of excitement for collectors.
In addition to the autographed versions, there is also a rare unsigned card that showcases a young Tom Brady wearing a Montreal Expos uniform. This card pays homage to the time when Brady was selected by the Montreal Expos as a catcher straight out of high school in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose to pursue college football, leading to his legendary NFL career.
However, amidst all the excitement surrounding Brady’s baseball cards, there is still ongoing curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Collectors and enthusiasts have reached out to Topps representatives to inquire about its production status, hoping for any updates that can shed light on the long-delayed autographed card. Until then, the mystery of the 2014 redemption continues to captivate the collecting community.
In conclusion, Tom Brady’s journey into the world of baseball cards has taken an intriguing turn with the release of his first “official” baseball card in the 2023 Bowman Draft set. While there may have been previous instances of Brady appearing on baseball cards, this card holds significance due to its availability as a fully completed card in packs. Additionally, the lingering mystery of the 2014 Topps Five Star redemption adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for collectors eager to add a Brady autograph to their collections. As the collecting community eagerly awaits updates on the redemption, the world of Tom Brady’s baseball cards continues to amaze and intrigue.
