In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors and enthusiasts are always on the lookout for unique and rare items. The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has managed to captivate the attention of fans with the inclusion of a special card featuring none other than NFL legend Tom Brady. Topps, the company responsible for producing the card, is marketing it as Brady’s first official baseball card. While this claim holds true if we consider only fully completed cards distributed in packs, there is more to the story.
Brady’s first appearance on a baseball card actually dates back to the 2014 Topps Five Star Baseball set. In this release, Brady was listed among the autograph cards, adding another layer of excitement for collectors. However, these autograph cards were included as redemptions in packs, meaning collectors had to redeem them for the actual autographed cards. Unfortunately, it has been nine years and these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled, leaving collectors eagerly waiting.
It is worth noting that fellow quarterbacks John Elway and Dan Marino, who were also drafted by MLB teams, were part of the original checklist for the 2014 release. This set held significance as it marked the last season Topps held the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini acquired exclusive rights. The shift in licensing may offer an explanation for the delay in releasing the actual autographed Tom Brady cards. However, for collectors who have been patiently waiting, the reasons behind the delay are likely of little consolation.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tom Brady, now retired from football, finds himself featured in the Bowman Draft Baseball set. This set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, with various versions available to collectors. Some of these versions include the Gold Refractor, with only 50 copies produced, Orange Refractors with 25 copies, Red Refractors with just 5 copies, and a one-of-a-kind Superfractor. As if that wasn’t enough, some of these cards also come with unique inscriptions, adding even more value to the collectible.
In addition to the signed versions, there is also a rarely seen unsigned card that showcases a young Brady wearing a Montreal Expos uniform. This particular card pays tribute to Brady’s past when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos as a catcher straight out of high school in the 1995 MLB Draft. Of course, Brady ultimately chose to pursue a career in college football, leading to his incredible success in the NFL.
While fans and collectors are excited about the release of Brady’s 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball card, there is still ongoing curiosity surrounding the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star redemption card. Collectors have reached out to Topps representatives in hopes of obtaining information about its production status. Any updates regarding the redemption card will surely be eagerly shared within the collecting community, as collectors yearn for the fulfillment of this long-awaited item.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set introduces Brady’s first “official” baseball card, according to Topps. However, fans and collectors should be aware that Brady has made a previous appearance on a Topps card in the 2014 release, albeit as a redemption. With the anticipation building for the fulfillment of Brady’s 2014 redemption card, collectors eagerly await any updates from Topps. Until then, the 2023 Bowman Draft card provides fans with another unique piece to add to their collections.
