Topps, the renowned baseball card company, is set to release its highly anticipated 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection, and it has certainly surprised fans and collectors with its latest addition. Making an unexpected appearance in this release is none other than former NFL star Tom Brady.
Before becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history, Brady was a talented multi-sport athlete during his high school years. As a nod to his sporting versatility, Topps has chosen to feature Brady on these baseball cards wearing a Montreal Expos jersey. This particular design commemorates Brady’s selection by the Expos in the 18th round of the MLB draft, before he ultimately decided to pursue football at the University of Michigan.
One of the exciting elements of this collection is the inclusion of 81 autographed cards of Tom Brady. Topps plans to enhance the buzz surrounding these cards with an amusing video that will be released soon. Already, social media has offered glimpses of what’s to come, with one card, in particular, generating quite a stir. This card features Brady with a humorous inscription, suggesting that if his baseball career didn’t pan out, football was always a viable option. Furthermore, there is a French inscription on the card, paying homage to Brady’s brief connection with the Montreal Expos.
The highlight of this collection is an exclusive autographed card numbered 12/50, a direct reference to Brady’s iconic jersey number. This particular card has already caused a frenzy among collectors, with a private collector offering a staggering amount of $500,000 for it. Additionally, there is a rare 1-1 SuperFractor auto card, adding even more excitement to the release.
Interestingly, Tom Brady holds a unique distinction among Expos draft picks. He is the last player drafted by the Expos to retire from professional sports. Following the team’s relocation to Washington, D.C., and subsequent rebranding as the Nationals in 2004, Brady’s connection with the Montreal Expos remains as a piece of baseball history.
For avid collectors, the 2023 Bowman Draft collection will be available in two formats: Hobby and Jumbo. The Hobby format includes three autographs per box, while the Jumbo format offers an impressive five autographs. The official release date for the collection is Tuesday, December 12, although some boxes have already made their way into the hands of collectors. Hit Factory Sports Cards in Arizona even revealed a non-signed Tom Brady card ahead of the official release. Meanwhile, autographed Tom Brady cards from this collection have already started appearing on popular selling platforms like eBay, generating significant excitement among fans and collectors.
With Tom Brady’s unexpected appearance in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection, Topps has added a unique and exciting element to their renowned series. Collectors and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the release, hoping to secure one of these special cards featuring the former NFL star in his Montreal Expos jersey, paying tribute to his football and baseball journey.
