Topps has recently unveiled a new trading card that pays homage to John Elway, showcasing him in a New York Yankees uniform—a tantalizing thought for sports fans pondering the intersection of baseball and football. Elway, a legend of the NFL and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 1981 MLB Draft, ahead of notable players like Tony Gwynn, who would go on to become one of baseball’s all-time great hitters. This unique trading card highlights the ‘what might have been’ narrative surrounding Elway’s athletic career and serves as a creative reminder of the potential he had in baseball.
To promote the card, Topps enlisted the help of Stephen A. Smith, a well-known sports commentator, who conducted a mock interview with Elway. In this playful exchange, Elway reflected on the circumstances surrounding his draft by the Yankees, attributing a significant part of his selection to the influence of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The ad cleverly intertwines humor and nostalgia, as it features a fictionalized reenactment of Steinbrenner’s discussions with his scouts, where they argue over the merits of selecting Gwynn over Elway. Larry David, who famously voiced Steinbrenner on the iconic sitcom “Seinfeld,” portrays the owner in the ad, adding a layer of comedic familiarity for audiences.
In the advertisement, David’s character expresses his unwavering desire to have Elway as a right fielder, depicting him as destined for greatness alongside baseball icons like DiMaggio and Mantle. The playful banter about Gwynn, including a humorous interjection regarding his basketball background, emphasizes the absurdity of the draft decisions and highlights Elway’s pedigree as a standout athlete. The ad’s nostalgic references and comedic elements aim to engage viewers, inviting them to imagine a world where Elway swapped the gridiron for the diamond in a glamorous baseball career.
The trading card featuring Elway in a Yankees uniform is part of Topps’ “What Ifs” series, which is designed to explore speculative scenarios about athletes’ careers. In doing so, the company previously produced a similar concept involving football superstar Tom Brady and the Montreal Expos. This creative approach taps into the sports community’s fascination with alternate histories and could-have-beens, engaging collectors and fans alike in an intriguing dialogue about the potential of sports icons who excelled in multiple athletic arenas.
Elway’s actual sports journey began in the Yankees’ minor league system in 1982, where he pursued baseball before making the leap to professional football. In an unexpected twist, he was selected first overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, a team he had no desire to play for. His desire to remain with the Yankees propelled him to threaten the Colts, ultimately leading to his trade to the Denver Broncos. This pivotal moment in Elway’s life solidified his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but the card serves as a reminder of the other path he could have taken.
Ultimately, Topps’ innovative trading card captures not only an alternate career for John Elway but also speaks to the broader narrative of sports heroes whose stories are often defined by the paths they take. It prompts fans to reflect on the significance of choices in sports and how different decisions could have changed the trajectories of these legendary figures. As Topps continues to produce such speculative items, it reinvigorates discussions regarding the many roads not taken by some of the world’s most celebrated athletes, blending commerce, nostalgia, and imagination into a compelling product.
