In the realm of sports, there exists an axiom that one never desires to be the follower. This very axiom became a challenging reality for Topps when they featured Tom Brady's Montreal Expos "What if?" moment as the top chase card in their 2023 Bowman Draft baseball set. The trading card giant then took an intriguing turn by bringing an iconic quarterback from a previous generation, who was also drafted in the MLB before achieving NFL stardom, to be the 2024 Bowman Draft ace in the hole. Alongside this, they added an all-time great parody of one of the most famous (or infamous) baseball owners in sports history to kick off the set's release this week.

Unraveling the Sports Paradox with John Elway

Topps' Bold Move in the Sports Card World

There's a certain audacity in Topps' decision to feature Tom Brady's "What if?" moment and then introduce John Elway as the 2024 Bowman Draft ace. This move not only challenges the traditional sports card hierarchy but also showcases the company's willingness to take risks. By bringing together two different sports eras and iconic figures, Topps has created a unique selling proposition that has the potential to captivate both baseball and football fans alike. The inclusion of an all-time great parody of a baseball owner adds an extra layer of entertainment and nostalgia to the set, making it a must-have for collectors and fans alike.

John Elway's Dual Sporting Legacy

Before his illustrious NFL career with the Denver Broncos, John Elway was a highly regarded baseball prospect. In 1979, he was selected in the 18th round of the MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals after winning the Los Angeles Player of the Year and a state championship in high school. He chose to attend Stanford University, where he continued to play both baseball and football. In 1981, Elway hit.361 with nine home runs and 50 RBI in 49 games for Stanford. His baseball skills were undeniable, and he even signed with the New York Yankees after being drafted by them. He played in the minor leagues, hitting.318 in 185 plate appearances for the Yankees' Single-A affiliate Oneonta in 1982. However, his football career would ultimately take center stage. In 1983, Elway was selected first overall in the NFL Draft by the then Baltimore Colts. He initially stated that he did not want to play for the Colts but was traded to the Denver Broncos six days later. His 16-year career with the Broncos was filled with success, as he won two Super Bowls. His 1984 Topps NFL rookie card with a PSA 10 grade (Gem Mint) last sold for $8,199 in September, according to CardLadder.

The Debate over Elway's Draft Picks

The release of the 2024 Bowman Draft set has sparked a debate about why the real George Steinbrenner, who passed away in 2010, drafted Elway in the second round of the 1981 MLB Draft when eventual Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was still available. Gwynn was eventually drafted in the third round by the San Diego Padres. The 90-second commercial promoting the set revolves around this debate, with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith condescendingly asking Elway why the Yankees chose him instead of Gwynn. Elway's response takes us into "Steinbrenner's office," which looks similar to the set used in "Seinfeld." Fictitious Yankees executives pitch Gwynn as the team's pick, but Steinbrenner insists on Elway, citing his cannon of an arm. The commercial also includes an Easter egg for a "Seinfeld" plot line when the executives boast about Gwynn being better than Keith Hernandez, and Steinbrenner bristles at the thought of Hernandez due to his thick mustache. The video ends with Steinbrenner saying "calzone time," another "Seinfeld" reference. Steinbrenner's unwavering belief in Elway shows the significance of this decision in baseball history.

Top Prospects in the 2024 Bowman Draft

In terms of top prospects for the 2024 Bowman Draft, there is hope that any player within the set will explode in popularity like Pittsburgh Pirates pitching phenom Paul Skenes, whose Bowman 1st cards and autographs appeared in last year's set. Here are some sample players containing Bowman 1st autographs from a top 50 MLB prospect list from The Athletic's Jim Bowden published in September: Travis Bazzana from the Cleveland Guardians, Chase Burns from the Cincinnati Reds, Jac Caglianone from the Kansas City Royals, Hagen Smith from the Chicago White Sox, Nick Kurtz from the Oakland Athletics, Christian Moore from the Los Angeles Angels, Bryce Rainer from the Detroit Tigers, and Konnor Griffin from the Pittsburgh Pirates. These prospects have the potential to make a big impact in the baseball world and add to the excitement of the 2024 Bowman Draft.