You get 2005 Bowman’s Best baseball, that’s what you get.
And, thanks to Topps innovative product development team, this year’s Bowman’s Best baseball gives you more bang for your buck, even though it contains a scaled-back autograph program.
Every box of 2005 Bowman’s Best is guaranteed to contain at least five certified rookie autographs as well as 10 serial-numbered parallels, which includes both veterans and rookies. Last year’s release contained one autograph per pack; however, it carried a $14.99 suggested retail price (SRP), while this year’s will set you back just $9.99 per pack.
In addition, the checklist of certified autographed rookie cards this year has as much, if not more, potential than last year’s. With autographs from Billy Butler, Justin Verlander, Chris Young, Jeff Niemann, Philip Humber, Brandon Sing, Ryan Garko, Andy LaRoche and more, it’s tough to argue. There are also numerous autograph parallels with levels serial-numbered to 399, 199, 99, 25 and 1. As is the case with most Topps products, there are four versions of printing plates with some being autographed.
Also, look for the first Bowman-issued rookie cards of Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver and Miguel Montero, all of which have been tearing up the Arizona Fall League.
As usual, Bowman’s Best mixed innovative design with a top-tier player checklist and a ton of autographs and parallels. Thankfully, Topps decided not to include relics in this year’s product and instead was able to bring you a better selection of rookie autographs as well as retro dual-autographs of such player combinations as Alex Rodriguez and Cal Ripken Jr., patterned after the 1994 Bowman’s Best Mirror Image sub-set.
If you are a rookie card collector, an autograph hoarder or simply a set collector, I am sure that you will enjoy 2005 Bowman’s Best baseball. The SRP for a 10-pack hobby box is $99.99.
Here’s what you might find in a randomly selected box of 2005 Bowman’s Best baseball:
Parallels
100 Green (1:2)
100 Blue (1:4)
100 Red (1:9)
100 Silver (1:18)
100 Gold (1:69)
100 Black (1:1,386)
400 Printing Plates (1:345)
172 First Year Autographed Printing Plates (1:805)
43 First Year Green Autographs (1:10)
43 First Year Blue Autographs (1:14)
43 First Year Red Autographs (1:20)
43 First Year Silver Autographs (1:41)
43 First Year Gold Autographs (1:159)
43 First Year Black Autographs (1:3,260)
Inserts
A-Rod Throwback Auto (1:1,402)
A-Rod/Ripken Mirror Image Auto (1:2,835)
A-Rod/Ripken/Bush Best Shortstops Auto (1:5,927)
A-Rod/Bonds Mirror Image Spokesmen Auto (1:16,300)
