Tom Brady's Surprising MLB Draft Story

Could the greatest quarterback of all time have also been a baseball legend? The tantalizing what if? surrounding Tom Bradys baseball career continues to captivate, fueled by a newly released baseball card commemorating his almost-MLB journey.

The story begins in San Mateo, California, at Junipero Serra High School. Brady wasn't just a football phenom; he was a legitimate baseball talent, a left-handed hitting catcher with a powerful swing. His high school stats a .311 average and eight home runs in two varsity seasons don't fully capture the raw power he possessed. Tales of prodigious blasts, including one off the team bus that roused a sleeping driver, still circulate amongst those who witnessed his high school heroics.

Reference: Pro-Football-Reference

Fast forward to 1995. While most remember this year for Brady's burgeoning football career, it also marked a significant turning point in his baseball journey. The Montreal Expos, recognizing his potential, selected Brady in the 18th round of the MLB draft. This wasnt a mere courtesy pick. The Expos saw genuine talent, even bringing him to Candlestick Park for a workout a highly unusual move for a late-round draft pick. Scouts were impressed, with then Expos General Manager Kevin Malone famously declaring, I think he could have been one of the greatest catchers ever.

The Expos' interest was concrete. They offered Brady a contract, reportedly in the "bottom of the second round" range a significant sum for a late-round pick. Team scouts and even some players attempted to sway the young athlete towards baseball. But Bradys heart was set on football, and he ultimately chose to attend the University of Michigan, embarking on a path that would lead to NFL superstardom.

Now, decades later, Topps is revisiting this fascinating crossroads in Brady's life. As part of their 2023 Bowman Draft set, they've released a series of Tom Brady baseball cards, depicting him in a Montreal Expos uniform. These cards including 81 autographed versions aren't just a novelty; they represent a tangible link to a road not taken, a glimpse into an alternate reality where Tom Brady the baseball player might have existed. The cards have quickly become highly sought-after collectibles, with one specially inscribed autographed card even carrying a bounty of $500,000.

Topps has cleverly leveraged the inherent nostalgia and "what if?" surrounding Brady's baseball career. The card release is accompanied by a humorous video, further amplifying the buzz. The cards feature a young Brady sporting an Expos jersey, a visual reminder of the potential that once captivated MLB scouts. They celebrate not just his football legacy but also the intriguing possibility of a baseball career that might have been.

The release of these cards rekindles the debate: Could Tom Brady have succeeded in Major League Baseball? While well never know for sure, his high school performance, draft selection, and the serious consideration he received from the Expos suggest he possessed the tools to compete at a high level. The story serves as a reminder that even the most iconic careers often begin at a crossroads, with a single decision shaping the course of history. Tom Brady chose football, and the rest, as they say, is history. But the baseball cards offer a captivating glimpse into the road not taken, a world where Tom Brady the catcher might have been just as legendary as Tom Brady the quarterback.

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married despite being the father of a child.","However, tatum doesn't have a wife.","Therefore, his fans & followers a looking forward to his wedding and keen to know about his personal life.","The couple was recently spotted","Jayson tatum and ella mai howell appear to be going strong.","The celtics star and the british r&b singer were both in attendance at the wedding of his former teammate, marcus smart, according to a","Born march 3, 1998) is an american professional basketball player for the boston celtics of the national basketball association (nba).","Jayson tatum, a talented nba player, is currently not married.","One interesting aspect of professional athletes in the nfl and nba is that many of them are young.","The athlete is dad to son jayson \u201cdeuce\u201d tatum jr., whom he shares with his high school girlfriend, toriah lachell (not pictured).","Few names in the nba carry as much weight as celtics star jayson tatum.","As the best player for one of basketball\u2019s most 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toriah lachell, welcomed son jayson \u201cdeuce\u201d christopher tatum jr.","Jayson tatum is not married yet so he does not have a wife.","However, he is in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, ella mai.","They allegedly started dating in october 2020 and their relationship simply came out to the public.","Jayson tatum wife and girlfriend faqs.","He has never married anyone.","Ella mai, the singer is the girlfriend of jayson tatum.","His highschool girlfriend toriah is the mother of his child, deuce.","Jayson tatum and ella mai were all smiles are the recent wedding of tatum's former teammate, marcus smart.","Tatum rocked a sharp mint pinstripe suit while mai was radiant in a chartreuse gown with","Their son, jayson christopher tatum jr., aka deuce tatum, was born on december 7, 2017, when the basketball star was 19 years old.","Tatum and amos had a falling out shortly after his birth.","The basketball player made an instagram post celebrating his son's first birthday.","Amos replied with a negative story aimed at her ex, per sports gossip.","Tatum\u2019s high school sweetheart, toriah lachell mimms, is the mother of jayson \u201cdeuce\u201d christopher tatum jr, born on december 6th, 2017.","When deuce came into this world, jayson was 19 and toriah was 20.","Toriah shared this picture on her birthday.","Currently, the exes share the joint custody of their son, with jayson also paying child support.","The couple was recently spotted","Tatum then awoke from his day dream and went back into the press conference.","The commercial concluded by showing three pairs of sneakers \u2014 seemingly belonging to tatum, his eldest son, jayson","Here\u2019s what you need to know about jayson tatum\u2019s rumored girlfriend ella mai:","Ella mai grew up in london, u.k.","& moved to queens, new york, for high school.","View this post on instagram."] | ["Joe namath \u203a spouse","On november 7th, 1984, joe tied the knot with his girlfriend of several years, deborah lynne mays.","The private wedding ceremony was held at one of deborah\u2019s friend\u2019s backyard in coral ridge country club in fort lauderdale, florida.","The poolside nuptials had dozens guests.","Joe was married to deborah mays since 1984.","Joe namath, the legendary american football quarterback, has been married once.","Namath tied the knot with deborah mays, a popular actress and model.","Their love story is one for the ages, characterized by the glitz and glamor of hollywood.","Joe and deborah mays got married in november 1984.","The intimate wedding took place in the coral ridge country club in fort lauderdale, florida.","Mays said that she had become tired of her","Joe namath\u2019s wife, now former, deborah mays, 63, had quite the ride with the football legend.","It all started in the early \u201980s when deborah was taking voice lessons with vocal coach, arthur joseph.","Deborah mays, currently known as tatiana mays, is best known as the former wife of joe namath.","However, she\u2019s much more than just joe namath\u2019s former flame.","Here is the life of deborah mays, an american actress, and beauty pageant winner;","Her marriage to nfl legend joe namath and why it ended.","Currently, joe namath is happily married to his wife, jennifer.","Their union is a testament to lasting love and companionship, showcasing a different chapter in the life of the former new york jet.","Namath met his wife, actress deborah mays while taking a voice class in 1983.","At the time, he was 41, and she was 22.","Before deborah, he had allegedly dated various popular women, including janis joplin, raquel welch, maime van doren, phyllis davis, and randi oakes.","Joe namath \u203a spouse","Joe namath's eldest daughter jessica namath is a graduate of her father's alma mater, alabama university.","Namath grew up catholic in beaver hills.","Namath lived with his mother after his parents split.","Joe willie namath, nicknamed broadway joe, was born on may 31, 1943, in beaver falls, pennsylvania.","Joe is the youngest of four sons of a pennsylvania steelworker.","Growing up, joe namath was a talented athlete and excelled at beaver falls high school.","He played quarterback for the football team, guard for the basketball team, and outfielder","What is joe namath\u2019s rookie card worth?","Joe namath was one of the most famous players in nfl history, and his rookie card has become highly sought after by collectors.","On average, a rookie card from joe namath is valued at $280.","This price can vary depending on its condition and other factors such as scarcity and demand.","Unfortunately, the marriage ended on a bitter note for joe as deborah was involved with another man, brian novack.","The us sun) joe and deborah exchanged wedding vows in 1984 and share two daughters, olivia and jessica.","Deborah mays namath, once known as the wife of legendary nfl quarterback joe namath, has lived a life filled with both public recognition and private challenges.","Joe namath was only married to actress deborah mays from 1984 to 2000.;","Namath and deborah have two daughters, jessica (born in 1986) and olivia (born in 1991).","Joe namath \u203a spouse","Joe namath has had encounters with janis joplin and kim basinger.","Joe namath is a 81 year old american football (american) player.","Born joseph william namath on 31st may, 1943 in beaver falls, pennsylvania, usa, he is famous for hall of fame quarterback for the new york jets.","Joe namath had been married to his wife, tatiana namath, for 14 years when he lost her for good.","Before he married her, the former football player had been every woman\u2019s dream in the 1960s and \u201870s.","Joe namath was married once, to deborah mays between 1984 and 2000.","The couple had two daughters together, olivia and jessica.","5 fast facts you need to know.","Former new york jets qb joe namath and espn sideline reporter suzy kolber celebrated their tenth year of wedded bliss this past saturday evening with a lavish anniversary party at their westchester ny estate, during which the couple lovingly renewed their vows to one another, it was reported earlier today.","Joe namath and wife deborah mays attend a dinner on april 17, 1985 at the white house in washington","Joe namath \u203a spouse","The actress was born in the us on september 1, 1964.","She became joe namath\u2019s wife in 1984 deborah and joe dated for about a year before they decided to get married.","Deborah planned the wedding and the marriage ceremony took place on the 7th of november 1984 in coral ridge county, fort lauderdale, florida.","They were married from 1984 until 2000.","Further, mays and namath shared two daughters, jessica and olivia.","As of 2021, joe has a net worth of $25 million.","Just a year later, they got married and had their first child, jessica, in 1986, followed by another daughter, olivia, born in 1991.","Joe namath who was known to have struggled with alcoholism struggled with the problem for a long time when he got married but he managed to pull through fearing that his marriage would end.","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Joe namath making good on his guarantee that his jets would beat the heavily favored baltimore colts in super bowl iii is part of nfl lore.","Namath, married for the first and only time in","Deborah has been staying away from the media\u2019s attention since her divorce from joe, and it\u2019s believed that she\u2019s today leading a peaceful life in her hometown."] | ["Michael jordan is a former nba star and current businessman.","He played 15 seasons with the chicago bulls and washington wizards, winning six championships and multiple mvp awards.","In a shocking announcement that has sent ripples through the sports world and beyond, the family of nba legend michael jordan has confirmed his passing at the age of 60.","The news broke early this morning, leaving fans and fellow athletes in a state of disbelief and 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controversies.","Find out his net worth and what he is doing now in 2025.","Michael jordan is a former professional basketball player, american olympic athlete, businessperson, and actor.","Cats care, the james r.","Jordan foundation, keep memory alive, and opportunity","Michael jordan is a retired professional basketball player from the united states.","He has been hailed the greatest basketball player of all time by many people over the years.","Michael jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.","He spent 15 seasons playing in the nba, winning six championships and separating himself from the rest of the pack.","Another big part of michael jordan\u2019s income is his chain of restaurants.","The primary big hitter that he has is michael jordan\u2019s steakhouse.","Most people might expect a sports bar and grill, but that isn\u2019t the case.","Basketball fans all over the world were shaken by the unexpected news of michael jordan\u2019s passing earlier this week.","It is now known that the october 2022 report was the latest in a long line of hoaxes claiming that famous people had died.","Tributes have poured in from around the world as fans, athletes, and public figures reflect on jordan\u2019s extraordinary legacy.","Nba commissioner adam silver released a heartfelt statement, saying, \u201cmichael jordan was a giant of our sport, a true ambassador for the game, and a source of inspiration for countless players and fans.","He has since been passed on the list by kobe bryant and lebron james.","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Goldin auction recently closed a deal on a flamin' hot cheeto in the shape of the iconic michael jordan jumpman logo.","Yes, you read that right.","A consumer happened upon a piece of the crunchy and spicy snack that resembled the chicago bulls legend's famous leap, and this consumer is now thousands of dollars richer.","Michael jeffrey jordan was born on february 17, 1963 in fort greene, brooklyn, new york, he is the son of deloris (n\u00e9e peoples), who worked in banking, and james r.","Jordan, sr., an equipment supervisor.","His family moved to wilmington, north carolina when he was a toddler.","Michael jordan is alive and well, and is currently 61 years old.","He is still involved in the basketball world, as the owner of the charlotte hornets, an nba team.","He is also a businessman and a philanthropist, who has donated millions of dollars to various causes and charities.","By 1984, her son michael began playing basketball professionally while still in college.","As his success began to grow, deloris and michael jordan decided to find ways to give back to the community.","Mother of former chicago bulls legend michael jordan.","She established multiple charities and served as the president and founder of the james r.","Jordan foundation for almost two decades.","She was honored with the clinton global initiative award in 2005.","She attended charity high school in rose hill, north carolina.","Michael jordan is a former american professional basketball player, businessman, and owner of the charlotte hornets.","He led the chicago bulls to six nba championships and won the most valuable player award five times.","Michael jordan's legendary career in the league was preceded by an equally iconic stint in the ncaa.","Mj played college basketball with the north carolina tar heels for three years starting in 1981.","Michael jordan was born on february 17, 1963, in brooklyn, new york, one of james and deloris jordan's five children.","The family moved to wilmington, north carolina, when michael was very young.","Michael jordan is still winning after his playing days.","Jordan is already one of the most beloved sports personalities in the world.","After concluding his basketball career, jordan has been involved in many business ventures and continued to be associated with the sport via ownership and endorsements.","By acclamation, michael jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.","Although, a summary of his basketball career and influence on the game inevitably fails to do it justice, as a","Furthermore, deloris jordan\u2019s son, michael jordan\u2019s net worth is estimated at $2.2 billion.","Similarly, gordon gund is another renowned philanthropist and businessman.","Her husband was shot to death.","Speaking of her marital life, the charity high alumna married james r.","However, several sites have also mentioned the couple"]