SCF Official Review: 2010 Bowman

**Enigma** · 06-08-2010, 01:32 AM

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Topps for providing us with this box.

24 packs per box
10 cards per pack
Current Retail Price: 134.99-149.99 (Online)

Product Description

BOWMAN BASE CARDS (220 subjects) - 5 per Hobby Pack!
Veterans (190)
Rookies (30)
- Jumbo Exclusive Printing Plates (220) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive Red (220) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Orange (220) - Numbered to 250!
- Blue (220) - Numbered to 500!
- Gold (220)

BOWMAN & BOWMAN CHROME PROSPECT CARDS (110 subjects) - 4 per Hobby Pack!
Bowman Prospects (BP1-BP110) - 110 Subjects - 2 per Hobby Pack!
- Jumbo Exclusive Printing Plates (110) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive Red (110) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Gold (110) - Numbered to 50!
- Blue (110) - Numbered to 250!
- Refractor (110) - Numbered to 500!

Bowman Chrome Prospects (BC1-BP110) - 110 Subjects - 2 per Hobby Pack!
- Jumbo Exclusive Printing Plates (110) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive SuperFractor (110) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive Red (110) - Numbered to 5!
- Orange (110) - Numbered to 25!
- Gold (110) - Numbered to 50!
- Blue (110) - Numbered to 250!
- Refractor (110) - Numbered!

BOWMAN CHROME AUTOGRAPH CARDS (32 subjects) - 1 per Hobby Box!
Autograph Rookie Base Card Variations (10)
- Printing Plates (10) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Red (10) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Orange (10) - Numbered to 250!
- Blue (10) - Numbered to 500!

Autograph Bowman Prospects (22)
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive SuperFractor (22) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive Red (22) - Numbered to 5!
- Orange (22) - Numbered to 25!
- Gold (22) - Numbered to 50!
- Blue (22) - Numbered to 150!
- Refractor (22) - Numbered to 500!

STEPHEN STRASBURG BOWMAN AUTOGRAPH CARDS - Only from Topps! (1 subject) - Signed Directly On Each Card! Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive
- Red (1) - Each is a 1 of 1!
- Orange (1) - Numbered to 25!
- Blue (1) - Numbered to 250!

BOWMAN TRIPLE RELIC CARDS (37 subjects) - Hobby & Jumbo Exclusive

BOWMAN INSERT CARDS (300 subjects)
- 1992 Bowman Throwback (100)
- Topps 100 Prospects (100)
- Bowman Expectations (100)

OVERALL AUTOGRAPH INSERTION RATE - 1 PER HOBBY BOX

WHAT WE PULLED

Video 1

Video 2

Base - 72/190 (37.9%)
Dupes - 0
Rookies - 14/30 (46.7%)
Dupes - 0
Gold - 24
Blue /520 - 1 (Raul Ibanez)
Orange /250 - 1 (David Herndon)

Bowman 1st - 54/110 (49.1%)
Bowman Chrome - 38/110 (34.5%)
Bowman Chrome USA National Team - 3/22 (13.6%)
Bowman Chrome USA 18U Team - 3/20 (15%)
Bowman Chrome Refractor /777 - 2 (Brett Jackson, Kevin Gausman)

Bowman Expectations - 8
Bowman Throwbacks - 12
Topps 100 - 12

Nolan Arenado Auto
Michael Dunn Refractor Auto

FINAL RATINGS

Base - 3.5/5
Design - 3/5
Fun - 4.25/5
Value - 4/5
Rebuy - 4.5/5

Total - 19.25/25 (77%)

Over the last few years, Bowman has become 3 sets in one. Boxes not only yield the Bowman set, but there's also the Chrome series and the Bowman 1st Card series. Bowman continues its basic design of the base cards with a red line border for veterans and a green line border for rookies. There are numerous parallel levels for each of these cards.

The Bowman 1st cards are like a reverse of the regular Bowman cards. The background is white instead of black and the team logo is on the opposite side of the card. The players are enclosed within a light blue line border. As for the Chrome cards, they match the design of the Bowman 1st except for the chrome sheen creating a metallic background. As with the base cards, there are many parallels here as well. The USA National and 18U Teams are featured in the Chrome series in a 22 and 20-card set, respectively.

There are three insert sets contained within Bowman. Bowman Expectations are a double-sided card featuring a veteran on one side and a future star on the back. Bowman Throwbacks showcase 100 veterans in a previously used Bowman design. Topps 100 is devoted to highlighting what could be the next 100 stars of tomorrow.

Each box yields 1 auto on average. The autographs are on the Chrome cards and utilizes the same design. They are on-card, but do not feature the Certified logo. However, there is a note under the autograph in block letters stating "Topps Certified Autograph Issue."

Bowman typically sets the tone for the collecting season in regards to rookies and prospects. This year is huge with the likes of Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Dustin Ackley and Starlin Castro (to name a few) in the mix. This has caused a huge surge in popularity with the product and unfortunately, a price hike to go along with it. The cards are the norm for this product as they look like a rehashed design. The inclusion of a few insert sets is great and gives the opportunity to complete some chase sets. Still not a fan of a low yield towards a base set, but that happens when you combines three separate sets into one.

While the price hike would seem to be a buzz kill, as you can see, there's a lot to be found in a box of Bowman. The enjoyability and anticipation factor is high when you open each pack hoping to see one of the big name rookies in the pack. Though there's only one auto on average, it doesn't mean the value isn't there. Between the various refractors and the roster on the checklist, there's so much to be found in Bowman that it's worth the price of admission so to speak.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Topps for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. For more information on all their products, you can check them out at www.topps.com.

**BBonds25** · 06-08-2010, 09:44 AM

Nice review Tony. Not sure how I feel about the look of the chrome, but I like how the refractors stand out. Regardless of how I feel about the chrome, I will still by some (if I can find any).