Sweet Memories...

I'm sure everybody remembers this fine product that was put out in 1992. I was about 12 years old when this product came out, and it was an exciting time. While Mike Piazza, Mariano Rivera, and Manny Ramirez seemed to be the big draws, this Wisconsin boy was after one card from this set.

I still remember the summer of 1992 like it was yesterday. A prospect drafted in 1984 had finally made his way to the big show and debuted in Milwaukee in the month of July. With my little league career starting to blossom at first base, I instantly took a liking to this prospect and this is where my pack ripping addiction probably began. See where everyone was after Mr. Piazza I wanted only one card...


That's right...John Jaha!!!

I must have busted pack after pack after pack (well with what money a 12 year old had) and nothing. My mother use to drive me to a card shop in Hartford, Wisconsin and he had one in the case marked for sale. My mom would just tell me to buy it, but it wouldn't have been the same. I had to pull this card for myself...I needed to be able to tell the story to my friends how I pulled the next big slugger for the Brewers, a guy who would lead us to the World Series once again. Jaha played in 47 games that year, he hit .226 with 2HR and 10RBI, but it didn't matter to me. He looked the part and was just getting a feel for the big league game. I wanted to be Jaha on the diamond during my games and I wanted that 1992 Bowman John Jaha card bad.

However it never happened, I was never able to get that card out of a pack! John Jaha never lead us to the World Series and somehow my life continued on to this point.

Yet, something magical happened this year. Something that would ease the pain of my childhood misfortune and complete the circle. Topps wanted to make sure that anybody who loved 1992 Bowman would be able to relive those memories again. As I opened my first 2010 Bowman Jumbo pack a certain card stared back at me. I immediately put the card in a toploader and laughed. I didn't remember reading about this subset in the checklist but it made me happy anyway.

Meet my reward for not pulling John Jaha in 1992:



The Hebrew Hammer on a 1992 Bowman design...EPIC! Best subset ever...thank you Topps!

Just a few scans...

Well after an eventful weekend of working and celebrating my girlfriend's college graduation (congrats again sweetheart!) I have finally gotten some scans taken care of. Everyone has seen the bowman product already, but I figured I would show a few of my cards...



While I love these cards, the scanner doesn't always do them justice.




It was nice getting a few Strasburg 1st Chrome cards, always nice to have some for the set and some to put into my personal collection!



There is much more to scan including the colored refractor's and such I pulled, but I assume everyone has seen scans of those already. I know a lot of people order by the case and then sell everything they get, I just like collecting this product. The autographs are nice and 3 per jumbo made the breaks even more exciting, I think the Martin Perez auto was sweet even without it being numbered. That young kid is exciting and I'm envious of Ranger fans...he would look great in Brewer colors!

My jumbo boxes yielded me a full base set with many doubles. I also was able to put together the 1st year base card set as well! With the 1st year Chrome set complete, the regular base and 1st year base sets complete, I'm able to work on the gold and blue variations of the regular set. My 2010 Bowman binder will look sweet once they are all complete!

But I must say there is an insert set that slowly has grown on me and has become probably my favorite so far this year...stay tuned!

Overall grade for 2010 Bowman: A-
That minus would be a plus if only my 1st box didn't suffer so much damage.
My other boxes didn't nearly have the same trouble so maybe it was just something that happened in packaging...oh well...I still saved a few cards from that box!

All packs have been busted...

So my adventure in 2010 Bowman has taken a few days to open each pack and examine the cards. Normally busting a few boxes only takes a few hours, but due to this being one of my favorite products I like to take my time and examine each card.

I want to post scans and will of what I have pulled, but trying to sort through which chrome prospects, base prospects and regular base cards to show is time consuming. Fear not though, I will have pictures up very very soon of at least the auto's.

From my readings around the web, I have heard that many people have been shorted an auto out of their jumbo box, or are getting two auto's from a regular hobby. While I didn't have any of those issues, my first box made me quite frightened about the product and had me thinking I should sell the rest of the unopened boxes.

My first jumbo had terrible terrible issues with damaged cards. Chrome cards chipping or scratched, corners just completely bent. It was disgusting to look at and had me very happy I was in early on pricing. If I spent $160-$180 on a box to have that happen, I would have been pissed.

Well it's back to work, hopefully will have some scans up tonight and more thoughts on this product.

That warm feeling...

That oh so good warm tingly feeling can only mean one thing....



Yes, my favorite product of the year (don't worry Bowman Chrome & Bowman DP&P's I love you just as much ;) ) has arrived in my house and is ready to be broken wide open! I will post the results and a product review probably tomorrow as there is so much to bust!