In the world of sports memorabilia, there is quite a buzz surrounding the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set. This set features a unique card that has fans and collectors excited – a 1995 draft pick card of none other than NFL icon Tom Brady. Topps, the company behind the set, is promoting this card as Brady’s first official baseball card. And while this claim is true if we consider only fully completed cards distributed in packs, it is not the first time Brady has appeared on a baseball card issued by Topps.
The first instance of Brady appearing on a Topps baseball card dates back to the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball release. In this set, Brady was listed among the autograph cards. However, these autograph cards were included as redemptions in packs. For nine years now, collectors have been eagerly waiting for these redemptions to be fulfilled, adding to the anticipation and value of the card. Interestingly, other NFL quarterbacks who were also drafted by MLB teams, such as John Elway and Dan Marino, were part of the original checklist.
The 2014 release holds significance as it was the last season Topps held the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini acquired exclusive rights. This shift in licensing might explain the delay in releasing the actual autographed cards. But for collectors who have patiently waited, the reasons behind the delay offer little consolation. The curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption card remains ongoing, with many inquiries being made to Topps representatives regarding its production status.
Now, let’s fast forward to 2023. Tom Brady, now retired from football, has an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps. Brady’s appearance in the Bowman Draft set marks another milestone in his career. The set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, each with a different version. Collectors can get their hands on the Gold Refractor, which has 50 copies available, or the rarer Orange Refractors (25 copies), Red Refractors (5 copies), and even a one-of-one Superfractor. Some of these cards even come with unique inscriptions, making them even more desirable for fans and collectors alike.
But in addition to the signed versions, there is a rare unsigned card that showcases a young Brady wearing a Montreal Expos uniform. This card pays homage to the time when the Montreal Expos selected Brady as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft straight out of high school. Of course, Brady chose a different path, opting for college football instead, which ultimately led to his legendary NFL career.
With all the excitement surrounding Brady’s appearance in the 2023 Bowman Draft set, collectors and fans cannot help but wonder about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption card. Inquiries have been made to Topps representatives about its production status, and the collecting community eagerly awaits any future updates. Will these redemptions finally be fulfilled after all these years? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the allure of Tom Brady’s presence in the world of baseball cards continues to captivate the sports memorabilia world.
