I mentioned last week that I had the opportunity buy a blaster (or blasters) of 2023 Bowman. They were staring at me from a shelf in Walmart, like five of them.
I ignored their glare because they have no power over me. I haven't bought a pack of Bowman in five years and that was only to find an Ohtani rookie. The time before that was 2013 -- 10 years ago.
So it's very weird that I should be the first blogger, at least I think, to open 2023 Bowman. I guess that's a commentary on the state of card blogs.
I received this pack from Rod of Padrographs. it was part of a wild shipment of items that deserves its own post. I believe Rod has introduced me to the new Bowman in the past, too.
So I opened the pack, and as usual knew about only half the names. Someone else really should be opening this. Here we go:
Excellent. My first Bowman card out of the only Bowman pack I'll open this year is a Dodger.
Miguel Vargas is displaying the same "I'm not really grabbing my crotch" pose as the James Outman card I showed yesterday. Maybe this is a thing coming up through the Dodger system?
World Series hero Jeremy Pena presenting the Damar Hamlin heart gesture.
I suppose I should recognize the 2023 Bowman design, which looks like every Bowman design for the last dozen years. I won't confuse this with 2016 or 2018 at all.
Five of the first six cards out of the pack are rookie cards. Yup, this is Bowman.
Adley Rutschmann and Corbin Carroll are not the two guys on the front of the Bowman wrapper. That would be Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Martin. Yes, the Diamondbacks have two players named Corbin.
Reds prospects I don't know. This is Bowman, too. At least De La Cruz has made it to Triple A.
The back of the pack -- reserved for prospects, a slightly altered design, and baffled looks from night owl.
Zach Neto has actually made it to the majors this season. The others are in rookie league ball ... well, I'm not sure about Luciano, his 2023 stats are a bit hazy.
It's good to see I'm still getting confusion out of a pack of Bowman. Thanks, Bowman. Never change.
So I can continue to feel comfortable avoiding you.
Comments
I didn't know about Elly De la Cruz until writing my Reds post. He's a stud, nearly featured him in the "Looking ahead" segment and might have if I had that card, lol.
I can count on one hand the number of packs of Bowman I've purchased over the years. I usually only pick up singles of Pirates and Cleveland guys and a few others I'm vaguely familiar with.
Like it better when they had 200 veterans, 20 Rookies and about 100 prospects
OMG another Cup grab, what the Hell is going on out there (Lombardi)
Plus, like you said, the design doesn't change much each year, further proving Bowman is little more than a money grab for the rookie-obsessed investor.
The photoshopped major league uniforms look pretty obvious on these cards.
Too bad you didn't cross-post this on A Pack To Be Named Later. Would have saved me a possible pity purchase. :)