Answer: If the product name begins with Bowman, that’s how.
And, if you put the two moniker’s together, you come up with the hottest baseball product in the hobby today – Bowman Sterling.
For starters, where else can you get one rookie (first year) autograph, one rookie/prospect autograph relic, one superstar relic and three high-quality rookie cards in one pack for $50? Bowman Sterling – that’s where.
And where else can you find a box-topper that may contain a vast array of autographed buyback cards, a serial-numbered rookie card to 25 or 1, a serial-numbered autographed rookie/prospect card to 25 or1, or superstar relic serial-numbered to 25 or 1? That’s right – Bowman Sterling yet again.
This year’s product boasts some of the best buybacks to date including various Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds and David Wright autographs. Aside from the "Big Three," the checklist boasts buybacks from Andruw Jones, Derrek Lee and Miguel Cabrera. Now that is one powerful lineup if you ask me.
If rookie cards are your thing – and I assume it is if you are reading this review – Bowman Sterling’s checklist rivals only Bowman Draft as the best in the hobby. Look for super high-end rookie cards of Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Troy Tulowitzki, Billy Butler, Andy LaRoche, Nolan Reimold and the only MLB rookie card of White Sox top prospect Brian Anderson.
The rookie/prospect autographed relic checklist is equally as strong with names like Brandon McCarthy, Andrew McCutchen, Colby Rasmus, Jay Bruce and Russ Martin leading the way. The prospects include Chris Nelson, Scott Elbert and Dustin Pedroia.
As was the case with last year’s set, every card has a refractor parallel serial-numbered to just 199.
Bowman Sterling is the best high-end rookie product released to date and should maintain that status going forward. Every pack of Sterling is jam-packed with excitement and is truly the most fun product to rip every year. Sterling hobby retails for $49.99 per pack with hobby boxes containing six packs and a box-topper. Retail Sterling has an SRP of $29.99 per pack.
Our box break included the following:
Box Topper: Miguel Cabrera buy back autograph – 2004 Bowman
Rookie autograph relics: Brandon McCarthy, Andrew McCutchen, John Nelson, Beau Jones
Prospect autograph relics: Scott Elbert, Chris Nelson
Autographs: C.J. Henry, Matt Green (x2), Steven White, Chris Volstad, Ryan Braun
Key rookie cards: Jered Weaver, Troy Tulowitzki, Mike Costanzo
