Leave a Comment/ Oddball / By Ryan Barone/ December 8, 2023
Ryan Barone (@ballcardgenius, Card Expert) is a lifelong member of the hobby. His content has recently been mentioned in “Quick Rips” (the Topps RIPPED Newsletter) and across other hobby publications. hello@ballcardgenius.com; Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius.
Topps announced back in March that Tom Brady will in fact have new, pack-inserted Expos cards…and autos to go along with them. Well, in what seemed like a far-fetched dream for any baseball card collector, we are now once step closer to reality, and even know what those cards will look like thanks to newly-released images.
“TOM. BRADY. BASEBALL. CARDS. 🤯🐐
Start chasing @TomBrady’s Dream Draft Pick cards on 12/12! #BowmanDraft”
These autographed Tom Brady baseball cards will be randomly inserted into Bowman Draft, which is currently scheduled to release December 12, 2023. eBay is full of sellers offering pre-sale boxes and cases.
As you can see from the images, there will be at least two inscriptions (one on the orange 12/25 version and another on the 12/50 gold). Of course, “12” is significant here and not by accident given Brady wore #12 for his entire career with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
With the release, it’s also a good time to remind that any Expos “card” you’ve seen floating around up to this point (no matter which one it might be) is not an official baseball card. These cards are what you’d call custom or “novelty” cards. And, because of it, you’ll see a number of different variations and “spins.”
Not to mention that, if you click into the many eBay listings, you’ll see these terms – “custom” and “novelty” – along with things like these cards are just for fun, not made by a major card company, and the like.
I wrote an entire blog post about a Tom Brady Topps Rookie Card not existing, and how it was a shame. And that’s because these Expos cards in question aren’t real cards or recognized as a real cards.
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But now, years later, times are finally changing, and we will in fact be graced with a Tom Brady baseball rookie card, and it will be glorious (for those who land the special insert).
Given the intricate details and nuanced understanding presented in the article, I'm more than equipped to dive into this conversation. The world of trading cards, particularly baseball cards, is a space I'm quite familiar with. The upcoming release of Tom Brady's baseball cards by Topps in the Bowman Draft collection on December 12, 2023, is indeed a fascinating development.
Firstly, the mention of "Expos" cards in the article refers to cards that have been circulating but are not officially recognized as legitimate baseball cards. These are commonly termed as "custom" or "novelty" cards, which, despite their popularity, lack authentication from major card companies. These cards often come with various spins and versions, leading to confusion among collectors.
The upcoming release of Tom Brady's authentic baseball cards in the Bowman Draft collection is a significant event. It's noteworthy that these cards will feature autographs from Tom Brady himself, making them prized possessions for collectors. The significance of the inscriptions, particularly the numbers 12/25 and 12/50, is tied to Brady's iconic jersey number, #12, worn throughout his career with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
The anticipation surrounding these cards is palpable, as evident from the pre-sale offerings flooding platforms like eBay. The images released give collectors a sneak peek into what to expect, showcasing distinct variations like the orange 12/25 and the gold 12/50 versions, each carrying its own allure for enthusiasts.
The distinction between the previously circulated "custom" or "novelty" cards and the forthcoming officially recognized cards is crucial. The latter holds significant value within the trading card community due to their authentication by a major card company like Topps, setting them apart as legitimate and highly sought-after collector's items.
This shift marks a turning point, finally bringing to fruition the desire for an authentic Tom Brady baseball rookie card, providing collectors with a genuine and recognized piece that holds considerable historical and collectible value.
If you're intrigued by this evolution in the world of trading cards or have more questions about the intricacies of card collecting, feel free to ask!
