Expected Release Date: May 9, 2011
Box Configuration: 24-Packs Per Hobby Box/12-Packs Per Jumbo Box (32-cards per pack)
What to Expect:- Every autograph is on-card, not a single sticker drop among 'em!
- 220 card base set featuring 2011 MLB rookies, veterans and stars.
- 110 card prospect set in both the regular and chrome variety.
- New 1/1 Bowman Buyback Cut Signature Autographs - Book cards featuring an original 1948 or 1949 Bowman card paired with a cut signature!
- Bryce Harper's first Bowman autograph wearing an MLB uniform
- International Parallels - For the first time since the 90's, parallels featuring a backdrop map of a player's native country return to the Bowman brand name!
- Back are last year's "Topps 100 Prospects" inserts.
- 2010 Bowman featured a 1992 Bowman Baseball insert set featuring present day players, 2011 Bowman will continue the throwback tradition, only this time around 1994 Bowman's Best will be the subject.
- New inserts include "Topps of the Class" and "Finest Futures" cards!
- 60th Anniversary Autographs featuring stars past, present and future - Topps' year long Diamond Anniversary celebration comes to Bowman with each 60th anniversary card featuring a big name baseballer's inscription autograph!
- Early rookie autograph checklist: Aroldis Chapman, Lars Anderson, Kyle Drabek, Chris Sale, Yonder Alonso and Freddie Freeman.
- Early prospect autograph checklist: Bryce Harper, Dee Gordon, Allen Webster and Brandon Belt.
Click here for additional information and scans.
Preliminary Grades:Base Design: D - I'm not impressed by the base design at all, if that should even be considered a "design." I've seen better card designs in vintage base sets.
Inserts: C - The relic design reminds me of 2010 Triple Threads Rising Stars and Rookies auto/game-used design, the Finest Futures reminds me of the 2010 Triple Threads base design, and the 1st Bowman Chrome Card has hints of 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects cards. The Bowman's Best insert set could use some work. The Topps 100 insert sets saved this grade. Topps did very well in making sure that "Topps 100" doesn't attract as much attention as it did in 2010. Final note: Come on, Topps. Exercise those creative juices!
Autographs: A - What more can you ask for when all autographs are on-card.
Based on the preliminary product release information, what do you think?
Oz
2011 Bowman Baseball
Jan 10 2011, 12:52 AM
