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.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. |
| Birth Date | August 3, 1977 |
| Birthplace | San Mateo, California |
| High School | Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, CA) |
| College | University of Michigan |
| MLB Draft | 1995, 18th Round, 507th overall by the Montreal Expos |
| Professional Career | NFL Quarterback (1995-2023) |
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.
