In the world of sports memorabilia, collectors are always on the lookout for unique and rare items. One such item that has recently grabbed the attention of the collecting community is Tom Brady's first "official" baseball card. The card is part of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set, where Brady is featured as a 1995 draft pick. While Topps, the company behind the card, is promoting it as Brady's first official baseball card, there is more to the story.
It turns out that Brady has actually appeared on a baseball card before. In 2014, Topps released its Five Star Baseball series, which included autograph cards featuring Brady. These cards were included as redemptions in packs, meaning that collectors would receive a redemption card that they could later exchange for the actual autographed card. However, it has been nine years since the release of the 2014 set, and these redemptions have yet to be fulfilled. This has left collectors eagerly waiting for their prized Brady autograph cards.
The delay in fulfilling the 2014 Tom Brady redemption cards may be attributed to the fact that the release marked the last season Topps held the NFL and NFLPA licenses before Panini acquired exclusive rights. The shift in licensing could have led to complications and delays in producing the actual autographed cards. While this explanation might not fully satisfy collectors who have been waiting for years, it does shed some light on the situation.
Now, in 2023, Tom Brady has retired from football and has an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, the current owner of Topps. This partnership has resulted in Brady's appearance in the Bowman Draft Baseball set. The set includes a total of 81 signed Brady cards, each with its own unique features. Some of these cards include versions like the Gold Refractor, Orange Refractors, Red Refractors, and the highly coveted one-of-one Superfractor. Some cards even come with unique inscriptions, adding an extra layer of interest for collectors.
Apart from the autographed cards, there is also a rare unsigned version that showcases a young Brady in a Montreal Expos uniform. This card pays homage to Brady's brief stint in baseball when he was selected by the Montreal Expos as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose to pursue a career in college football, leading to his legendary NFL journey.
While the presence of Tom Brady's first "official" baseball card in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set has generated excitement among collectors, there is still ongoing curiosity about the fate of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption cards. Collectors have made inquiries to Topps representatives to get updates on the production status of these long-awaited cards. Any future updates regarding the fulfillment of these redemptions will be eagerly shared with the collecting community, as collectors hope to finally add this prized piece of sports memorabilia to their collections.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set featuring Tom Brady's first official baseball card is a significant addition to the collecting world. While collectors eagerly await the fulfillment of the 2014 Topps Five Star Tom Brady redemption cards, they can still enjoy the unique Brady cards in the Bowman Draft set, including the rare unsigned version that pays tribute to his baseball roots. Whether it's football or baseball, Tom Brady continues to captivate fans and collectors alike with his undeniable talent and legacy in the world of sports.
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