Toops was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 31 July 1981, to educators George Toops Jr. and Kim Toops.[7] He grew up in New London. He attended the New London-Spicer High School, and graduated in 2000. In 2000, Toops was among the twenty-five senior High School students who were awarded the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) award. He received a $7,500 college scholarship and was featured in USA Today.[8]
Toops was recruited by Harvard, Minnesota, and Arkansas. He chose to play for the University of Arkansas.[2] He played four years as a catcher[7] with the Razorbacks,[10] and had been named a captain of the team in 2003,[11] until he was selected in the Major League Baseball draft of 2004 in the 10th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.[12][13] His stint in the minor leagues would only last three years, when he stopped playing after the 2006 season.[12]
Music
Toops' music career began in 2008.[1][14] His first studio album, Brady Toops, was released on August 27, 2013.[15][16][17] His sophomore album, Tried & True, was released on March 11, 2017.[5]
^ abcLange, Carolyn (August 22, 2013). "Hitting His Stride". The West Central Tribune. Willmar, Minnesota. pp. A1, A3. p. A3: The album represents Toop's mesh of traditional folk, rock 'n roll, and gospel music.
^ abL. Reed, Jerry (June 10, 2004). "Toops Toast Of Town". The Morning News. p. C, 6C. p. C: Also listening in Baum Stadium were Brady Toops' proud parents, George Jr. and Kim Toops, triplet sister and brother, Mickie and Casey, and baby sister, Wendy.
^"Introducing the 2000 SAMMY Winners". USA Today. June 23, 2000. pp. 10–11.
^Allen, Heather (January 2, 2005). "Diamond Hogs CWS appearance culminates surprising run". The Northwest Arkansas Times. pp. A11 –A12. p. A11: Arkansas junior Brady Toops hits a two-out, grand-slam home run in the top of the ninth inning to win the first game with Wichita State and force a second game
^Batterson, Steve (October 19, 2008). "Faith In Music: Former Q-C catcher chases career as Christian rocker". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. pp. B1, B7. p. B1: A 10th-round draft pickt of St. Louis Cardinals in baseball's 2004 draft, Toops spent 2005 behind the plate as a catcher for the Swing of the Quad-Cities.
