Topps, the renowned trading card company, is stirring up excitement among collectors with its upcoming release of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection. Taking an unexpected turn, they have included former NFL star Tom Brady in this unique series. This move pays tribute to Brady’s remarkable high school baseball career and his draft selection by the Montreal Expos.
During his high school years, Tom Brady showcased his athletic prowess in multiple sports, including baseball. His talent on the diamond led the Montreal Expos to choose him in the 18th round of the draft. However, Brady ultimately decided to pursue his football career at the University of Michigan, leading to his iconic journey in the NFL.
One of the highlights of this collection is the 81 autographed cards featuring Tom Brady. To enhance the excitement, Topps has teased fans with a humorous video preview. Among the glimpses shared on social media, one particular card has quickly caught the attention of fans and collectors. It portrays Brady wearing a Montreal Expos jersey, accompanied by an inscription suggesting that football was always a backup plan if baseball didn’t work out. The card also includes a French inscription, paying homage to Brady’s brief affiliation with the Expos.
However, the card that has been generating the most buzz is the autographed card numbered 12/50. This number reflects Brady’s iconic jersey number, and it has already attracted a significant offer of $500,000 from a private collector. Additionally, there is a rare 1-1 SuperFractor autographed card, which holds tremendous value for avid collectors.
An interesting tidbit about Brady’s inclusion in this collection is that he holds the title of being the last player drafted by the Montreal Expos who went on to retire from professional sports. After the 2004 season, the Expos relocated to Washington, D.C., and became the Nationals.
Collectors will have the opportunity to get their hands on the 2023 Bowman Draft in two formats: Hobby and Jumbo. The Hobby version offers three autographs per box, while the Jumbo version provides five autographs. The official release date is set for Tuesday, December 12, but a few boxes have already surfaced. Hit Factory Sports Cards in Arizona recently unveiled a non-signed Tom Brady card, increasing the excitement leading up to the release.
Even before the official release, Tom Brady’s autographed cards have started to make appearances on online marketplaces like eBay. This has further heightened the anticipation among fans and collectors eager to add a piece of Brady’s multi-sport journey to their collections.
In conclusion, Topps’ inclusion of Tom Brady in their 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection has generated tremendous excitement within the collecting community. With his unique baseball card featuring him in a Montreal Expos jersey, Tom Brady’s multi-sport prowess and his connections to the Expos are being proudly showcased. As collectors eagerly await the official release, the buzz surrounding the autographed cards and the high value they command continue to grow.