In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and significant items. One such item that has recently gained attention is Tom Brady’s first “official” baseball card, featured in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set. While Topps promotes this card as Brady’s first official baseball card, there is an interesting backstory that collectors should know.
If we consider only fully completed cards distributed in packs, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card is indeed Brady’s first official baseball card. However, an earlier instance of Brady appearing on a baseball card issued by Topps dates back to 2014. In the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball release, Brady was listed among the autograph cards. These cards were considered redemptions and were included in packs, but unfortunately, they have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors eagerly waiting for their arrival.
It’s worth noting that other quarterbacks who were also drafted by MLB teams, such as John Elway and Dan Marino, were part of the original checklist in the 2014 release. The significance of this release goes beyond Brady’s appearance on a baseball card, as it marked the last season Topps held the licenses for both the NFL and NFLPA before Panini acquired the exclusive rights. This licensing shift may explain the delay in releasing the actual autographed cards, but for collectors who have been patiently waiting, the reasons behind the delay may provide little consolation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady, now retired from football but still making waves, has an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps. As part of this collaboration, Brady is featured in the Bowman Draft set, which includes a total of 81 signed cards bearing his autograph. Collectors can find different variations of these cards, 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 Superfractor, of which only one exists. Some of these cards also come with unique inscriptions, adding a special touch for fans and collectors.
Interestingly, there is also a rare unsigned version of the card, showcasing a young Brady in a Montreal Expos uniform. This design is based on the classic 1995 Bowman Baseball design, paying 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. Of course, Brady ultimately chose college football, leading to a legendary career in the NFL. This unsigned card serves as a reminder of a different path that could have been taken.
Despite the excitement surrounding Brady’s appearance on the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card, collectors and fans still have lingering curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption. Inquiries have been made to Topps representatives to learn more about its production status, and any future updates will undoubtedly be eagerly shared with the collecting community.
In conclusion, Tom Brady’s first “official” baseball card in the mainstream sense can be found in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set. However, the story of his earlier appearance on a 2014 Topps autograph card adds an extra layer of intrigue to the world of sports memorabilia. As collectors continue to wait for the fulfillment of the 2014 redemption, the buzz surrounding Brady’s baseball card endeavors remains strong, proving that his popularity transcends the boundaries of football and extends into the realm of America’s favorite pastime.