Bowman's Best Box Breaks (Ongoing Thread)

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So I buy and bust Bowman's Best Baseball from any year as I am trying to complete a master set of Bowman's Best from all years. On another site I would post the results of the box breaks, I went into detail including book values. I was told to edit my posts to remove the book values. I figure I'll repost here:

I have summarized the results in this chart, the details are in each post below; I have added Return on investment which is the "profit" divided by cost
(last column is total received divided by number of cards received)
(new stat added at end, percent of cards received that are base)
2007 (ROI: 124%)
75 cards, Paid $258, Value $186, 27% Doubles, Net -$72.00, $2.48/card; 74.6% Base
1999 (ROI: 16%)
144 cards, Paid $110, value $127, 3% Doubles, Net +$17.05, $0.88/card; 52.7% Base
2015 (ROI: -20%)
50 cards, Paid $193.50, value $154, 0% Doubles, Net -$39.00, $3.09/card; 40% Base
1999 (ROI: -28%)
144 cards, Paid $108, value $78, 3% Doubles, Net -+30.87, $0.54/card; 50% Base
2003 (ROI: 124%)
46 cards, Paid $94.79, value $212, 0% Doubles, Net +$117.21, $4.61/card; 71.7% Base
1999 (ROI: 31%)
142 cards, Paid 97.49, value $127.80, 3% Doubles, Net +$30.31, $0.90/card; 48.6% Base
1994* (ROI: 104%)
147 cards, Paid $54.13, value $110.25, 19% Doubles, Net +56.12, $0.75/card; 88.4% Base
2020 (ROI: -20%)
60 Cards, Paid $323.00, Value $258.00, 0% Doubles, Net -$65.00, $4.30/card ; 51.7% Base
1994 (ROI: 30%)
168 cards, Paid $112.00, Value $146.00, 14% Doubles, Net +$34.00, $0.87/card; 88.7% Base
2000 (ROI: 4%)
119 cards, Paid $106.95, Value $110.85, 0% Doubles, Net $+$3.90, $0.93/card; 62.2% Base
2000 (ROI 9.25%)
120 cards, Paid $96.25, Value $105.05, 0% Doubles, Net $8.80, $0.88/card; 61.7% Base
2021 (ROI 15%)
59 Cards, Paid $274.95, Value $316.50, 8.5% Doubles, Net +$41.55; $4.66/card; 57.6% Base
2000 (ROI: 39%)
120 Cards, Paid $70.61, Value $98.80, 0.8% Doubles, Net $28.19; $0.82/card; 90% Base
2002 (ROI: 15%)
47 Cards, Paid $149.80, Value $172.50, 10% Doubles, Net $22.70; $3.67/card; 76% Base
1998 (ROI: -39%)
60 Cards, Paid $102.77, Value $62.30, 0% Doubles, Net -$40.47; $1.04/card; 93% Base
1995 (ROI: 55%)
167 Cards, paid $214.00, value: 331.50, 22.7% doubles, Net $117.50; $1.99/card; 61% Base
1995 Retail (ROI: -30%)Did not review
60 Cards, paid $322.56, value: $226, 10% Doubles, Net -$96.56 $2.24/card; 44% base
2021 Bowman's Best (ROI: 19%) Did not review
60 Cards, paid $349.99, value $418.00; 0% Doubles, Net 68.00; $6.97/card 31% Base

2021 Bowman's Best (ROI: 222.42%)
60 Cards Paid: $300.00, value $967.25 0% Doubles, Net +$367.25 $16.21/card 50% Base

(1994* was a partial box = 21/24 packs)

February 20, 2021

I bought a (2007) box on Ebay it was 237 plus tax totaling $258

When you open the box there are three mini boxes each with 5 packs and 5 cards in each equaling 75 cards. Additionally there is a small pack containing a cross-Topps promotion honoring Alex Rodriguez’ 500 Home Runs. In this pack there are two cards, I pulled 408 Home Run and 411 Home Run, each card is worth $12
Total of these AROD cards: $24.00

Base Cards:
Received 56 base, providing a complete set of 1-33 which is a book value of $34.50
Doubles of the following which have a value of : $16.50
#3 Vlad Guerrero, #4 Ichiro, #8 David Ortiz, #9 Andrew Jones, #10 Roger Clemens, #14 Chase Utley, #15 Mark Teixeira, #16 Ryan Zimmerman, #19 Barry Bonds, #21 Vernon Wells, #23 Alex Rodriguez, #25 Tom Glavine, #26 Gary Sheffield, #27 Maiguel Cabrera, #28 Robinson Cano, #30 Jim Thome #32 Brian McCann

Triples of which have a book value of $5.50
#5 Jason Bay, #7 Alfonso Soriano, #22 Manny Ramirez

Base Set Rookies (#’d to 799) (base Rookie is supposed to be 1/2 packs, but I Received 3 in 15 or 1/5 – kind of disappointing) total value of the three rookies: Book Value is $1.00 each for a Total of $3.00 (seems really low for a premium rookie numbered of 799)
66 Shawn Riggens; 67 Masumi Kuwata; 73 Brandon Wood

Autograph Base Cards (Pulled 5 and every one was a $8.00 = $40.00
#34 Josh Barfield, #36 Bill Hall, #38 Adam LaRoche, #82 K Kouzmanoff, #84 Michael Bourn

Parallels:
Green (#’d of 249) #15 Jason Bay $3.00
Blue (#’d of 99) #4 Ichiro $12.00

Parallel Autograph Blue # 79 Hunter Pence (#’d of 99) $15.00

Inserts:
Arod 500 HR – pulled 2 $3.00 each total $6.00

Bowman Prospects (#’d 499) ($0.60 each = $1.80)
10 Fairchild; 27 Frostad; 30 Englebrook

Bowman Prospects Autographs ($8.00 each = Total $16.00)
49 Sinkbeil; 54 Marrero

Bowman Prospects Blue Autographs (#’d 99) 50 Colton Willems $12.00

Received $186.30 in book value, overall very disappointing. With so many possibilities of getting something decent and the best card is a $15.00. With tax an overall loss of $72.00 and a bunch of extra base cards. Not the best I’ve seen from Bowman’s Best, but I do love the thick cards and the HIGH quality of the cards.

 

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March 26,2021 (1999 Bowman's Best Part 1)
I purchased two boxes, one came and opened, highlights:
Paid $110 ($95 plus tax and shipping)

24 packs/6 cards per pack = 144 cards:

Base set: (1-100)
Received 76 cards (including 4 duplicates) totalling $51.55
Burnitz $4, Ripken $3, Jeter $2.50, Griffey, Jr. $2.00 Bonds $1.50 McGwire $1.50 Maddux $1.25

Prospects (101-150)
Received 39 cards worth $17
Beltre $1.00

Rookies (150-200)
Received 24 cards wroth $18.50
Sabathia $4.00; Pena $1.50, Mulder $1.50, Johnson $1.25

Refractor
Received 1 Greg Maddux #'d of 400 $15.00

Atomic Refractor
Received 1 Bruce Chen #'d of 100 $10.00

Franchise Favorites
Received 1 Mattingly/Jeter $10.00

Mirror Image
Received 1 Burrell/McGwire $4.00

Future Foundation Mach 1
Received 1 Bruce Chen #'d of 3000 $1.00

All in All, I am pretty pleased with the box

Total Received $127.05 which is a net positive compared to the $110.69 paid.

I was very happy in the limited number of base set duplicates.

There unfortunately were not any Autographs or Game Used in this box.

Bill

 

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2015 Bowman's Best March 19, 2021
Bought a box on ebay for my son's birthday, cost with chipping and tax was $193.50

Received:
Base Set 20 cards $29
Refractor 7 cards $21
Blue Ref 1 card $5
Top Prospects 9 cards $21
Top Prospects Refractor 3 cards $7.50
Top Prospects Atomic 1 card $2.50
Mirror Image 4 cards $9.25
First Impression 1 card $1.25
Hi Def 2 Cards $5.50
Best of 15 Refractor Auto 2 cards $40
Best of 15 Refractor Green Auto 1 card $12

Highlights: Base: No duplicates
Bryant Rookie $8.00
Addison Russle Roooke $4.00

Refractors Highlights:
Betts $6.00
Chapman $3.00

Top Prospects Highlights:
Judge $10.00
Tucker $4.00

Autographs:
DJ Stewart $10
Trea Turner $30 (This was Awesome becuase my son loves the Nationals)
Green: Gonsalves $12

The two most disappointing aspects were:
1) The Hi-Def cards consume an entire pack so instead of getting 5 cards in these packs you get 1 card and they seem to be way under valued.
2) The box says you get 4 Autos. Unfortunately, we recieved a redemption card of a player, so we only recieved three. I was going to send to Topps to see if they would do send him anything since it was a birthday present.

Like all Bowman's Best I love the design.

Net Result:
Recieved $154.50
Spent $193.50
Net Negative = $39.00

I have a box of 1999 Bowman's Best on the way. I'll review that and provide a summary.

Bill

 

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April 12, 2021 (1999 Bowman's Best Part 2)
I purchased a second box of 1999 Bowman's Best and this box was very disappointing.
Total Price with Tax and Shipping: $108.87

There were only two inserts in the entire box.

24 packs/ 6 cards per pack. According to stated odds should at least receive:

1 Veteran Refractor (1/15)
1 Rookie Refractor (1/15)
24 Rookies and Prospects (1/1)
1 Mirror Image (1/24)

I received
72 Base Cards valued at $50.35
(Including: Burnitz $4, Ripken $3, Jeter $2.50, Griffey $2, Bonds $.150, McGwire $1.50)
4 doubles valued at $2.20

Rookies (101-150)
42 Cards valued at $18.40
0 Doubles

Prospects (151-200)
24 Cards valued at $15.75
0 Doubles
(Including Sabathia $4.00 and Beltre $1.00)

Veteran Refractor
Ben Grieve $5.00 (#'d of 400)

Mirror Image
Maddux/Chen $3.00

So I received $78 on my $108 purchase.

I love Bowman's Best, I love the fact that you do not get inundated with doubles of base set cards in this year.

All in all it was not a fun break with only $8.00 worth of inserts in two cards.

 

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April 21, 2021: 2003 Bowman's Best

So I found a great deal on a box of 2003 Bowman's Best.

Cost $94.79

10 Packs
1 Pack is one card with a game used
9 packs have 5 cards one of which is a auto (except one pack has two autos)
10 autos in the box.

Note about set: First, the set has like glitter sprinkled on it and the glitter flakes off, so a lot of the cards if graded would not be a 9. The good news is every single card is valued at $1.00 or more.

Base Set: No Doubles (which I love), I received 33 of the 50 valued at $71.00
received: Arod $3; Hart $8, Bonds $4, **** $4 Jeter $6 Ichiro $3, Bonderman $4, Contreras $2.50
Ramirez $2.50, Johnson $2.5k Victorino $3 and Clemens $3.00

First Year Bat (one per box)
Other than a blue parallel, Hanley Ramirez was the best option, which is what i pulled $25.00

First Year Auto (1 per pack unless a different auto was recieved)
I received 9:
Brown $10
Kemp $8
Manning $8
Haren $8 (which I thought would be worth more)
Gomes $8
Johnson $8
Shoppack $10
Cameron $8
Ledezma $8
Total First Year Auto: $76.00

Blue Base Set (1/28 packs, so this was not guaranteed)
Received a Jeter #'d of 100 = $25.00

Double Play Auto (1/55 packs)
Auto of Dan Haren and Joe Valentine $15.00

I have to admit that this was the most fun I have had opening a box with my son in a while.

$212.00 for approximately $100.

We recieved 9 autos, a double auto, a Jeter #'d of 100 and the best game used (non-parallel) that you could get.

Other than the glitter issue on the cards, A++

Bill

 

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May 7, 2021 (1999 Bowman's Best, Part 3)
So I found another good deal on a Bowman's Best Box (3rd 1999 of the year):

$97.49 (delivered, $81.00 plus shipping and tax)

24 Packs/6 Cards per Pack.


Base Set:
Base set: (1-100)
Received 69 Cards valued at $51.50
This was better than the prior to boxes because I received fewer base and more insert (see below)
I received 4 duplicates valued at $2.80
I received 1 triple at $0.40
Highlights: I received all 10 Best Performers which I believe are short printed, but I've never received confirmation about this. Also many $1.00, but none of the bigger base sets $2.00, $3.00 etc

Prospects (101-150)
37 cards worth $15.90 (no doubles and no big names but there really aren't any here any way)

Rookies (150-200)
24 cards and a few of the nicer ones worth $23 (Kearns, Soriano, Burrell)

Refractor
Received 1 Biggio #'d of 400 $8.00

Atomic Refractor
Received 1 Javy Lopez #'d of 100 $10.00

Rookie Refractor
Matt Belisle #'d of 400 $5.00

Future Foundation Mach 1
Received 1 Troy Glaus #'d of 3000 $1.00

Future Foundations Mach 3
Recieved 1 Brady Penny #'d 500 $2.50
(even though it is only $2.50, I love this card, its cool that you can see through it)

Franchise Favorites
Received 1 Mike Schmidt $6.00

Mirror Image
Gacriapara and Ozuna $1.50


All in All, I am pretty pleased with the box

Total Received $127.80 which is a net positive compared to the $97.49 paid.

I liked how many inserts I received compared to the Box #2 which was a disappointment.

There unfortunately were not any Autographs or Game Used in this box.

Bill

 

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I picked up a partial box of 1994 Bowman's Best (21 of 24 packs, 7 packs per box so a total of 147 cards)

I paid a total of $54.13. (including tax and shipping)

The set: You can tell its 1994 and the technology was new. A lot of the photos are not crisp. There is some kind of grease or film in between the cards (it doesn't mess the cards up, but it is noticeable). Like most Bowman's Best cards the cards are thicker and durable. Since it is 1994 there isn't much in the way of inserts/parallel.

Rookie Base Set is 90 cards (Blue is Rookies/Prospects)
Veteran Base set is 90 cards (Red is veteran)
Mirror Image is 20 cards part of set but short printed 1 per pack
Blue Refractors 1 in 9 packs
Red Refractors 1 in 9 packs
Mirror Image Refractors 1 in 9 packs

So Statistically I thought I would receive 21 Mirror Image 1 blue refractor 1 red refractor and 1 Miror image refractor and and 123 base cards

Received:
48 Blue base cards plus some doubles (below) valued at $29.75
Highlights: Jeter -$5 (did not get the $10 Posada)

54 Red base cards plus some doubles (below) valued at $41.50
Highlights: Mattingly $3, Ripken $4

14 Mirror Image cards valued at $12.75

I also received 26 doubles valued at $15.25 (2nd copy of base card)
and 2 triples valued at $1.00 (3rd copy of base card)
(many of the doubles were Mirror Image doubles)

Refractors:
2 Blue Refractors which were commons valued at $5
1 Red Refractor of Molitor of $5.00

I received no mirror image refractors

Based upon the price of $51, I can't complain. I received $110.25 which is a net of $59.00

I'm not a fan of 28 doubles/triples which is 20% of the cards.

I imagine with another box I'll be able to complete the set or at least come close.

Bill

 

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2020 Bowman’s Best Box (08/25/2021)

So for my birthday I treated myself to a box of Bowman’s Best. The purchase price was $299.99 plus tax, making it basically $323.00.

There are two mini boxes. Each mini box has 6 packs and 5 cards per pack. 30 cards per mini-box and 60 cards total. You are guaranteed four autographs in the box.

Base Set (First 70 are veterans, next 30 are Prospects with Prefix of TP):

The base set is nice as always a nice chromium card. Each card describes the players best game.

I received 31 of the 100 cards. I got some nice hits: Bichette $12; Kyle Lewis $8.00; Gavin Lux $5.00; Yordan Alvarez $10.00; and in the top prospects Heston Kjerstad $5.00

All in the base sets as 31 cards valued at $78.30

Refractors

Each pack contains one refractor parallel (atomic, blue, green, purple or refractor), it is always the last card in the pack, these are numbered the same as the base set

Highlights Nico Hoerner $5.00; Ed Howard $8.00

Refractors: 12 valued at $35.00

Refractor Variations:

Atomic (1 per box) TP-9 Dylan Carson $10.00

Blue (1/35 packs) TP-11 Nick Yorke $10.00

Gold (1/103 packs) 69 Matt Chapman $10.00

Refractor Variations 3 for $30.00

Franchise Favorites (1/3)-I received 4 of these only one notable: Robert Hassell $8.00 all 4 were: $13.25

Franchise 2000 Die Cuts (1/4)– I received 3 of these, nothing remarkable = $5.75

Decade’s Best (1/18) I received 1 worth $1.00

Power Producers (1/6) Yordan Alvarez $5.00 and Zac Veen $3.00 – that is 2 cards worth $8.00

Autographs – this is why everyone flocks to this product 4 autographs:

Logan Allen $6.00 (1/6)

Pete Crow-Armstrong $40.00 (1/6)

Whit Merrifield $15.00 (1/6)

Green Refractor Autograph Brusdar Graterol $25.00 (1/62)

That’s 60 cards worth $258. I paid $323, that to me is a net loss of $65.00
(edited to correct math)

The main thing I like about most Bowman’s Best products is:

• Commons are $1.00 or higher
• High Quality Card
• Autographs
• No duplicates of base set (I could buy 3 boxes and not have many base set duplicates)

These all apply in the 2020 version. I don’t understand why a 1/18 card (decades best) is $1.00

All in All it was a fun box; obviously these boxes are overpriced.

Grade: B

 

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1994 Bowman’s Best (October 18, 2021 - 2nd box this year)

I Purchased a Box of 1994 Bowman’s Best, $90 plus shipping and tax = $112.00

24 Packs 7 cards per pack = 168 Cards


Base Set (received 125 cards valued at $89.00)

Received, this names:

Jeter $5.00

Renteria $6.00

Clemons $2.50

Mattingly $3.00

Bonds $3.00

Ripken, Jr. $4.00

Parallels Received 3 cards valued at $19.00

Refractors (Supposed to be 1:9, should get 2, I got three)

Pozo $2.00

Matt Williams $5.00

Manny Ramirez $12.00

Mirror Images Received: 16 cards valued at $19.25

Doubles: 24 (Valued at $18.75)



In my mind too many doubles. Paid $112, received $146.00, Highest value card was a $12.00.

Net +$34.00

 

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I purchased a box of 2000 bowman's best, which I was excited to do because this was one of the years I had the fewest cards of.

I paid $99.95; however with shipping and tax it was $106.96

General thoughts:
The base set is refractors and there are no parallels. Like with most Bowman's Best the cards are on heavy stock with a chromium feel, so they are always "High Quality"


According to the box there are 24 packs with 5 cards per pack; should be 120 cards; however, I received 119 because if you get a game used card you get one less in that pack.

Veteran Cards (Received 74 cards of the 100)
No doubles which is my favorite.

Highlights: Cal Ripken $3.00; Jeter $2.50; Ken Griffey, Jr. $2.50; Jeter Subset $2.50; Griffey Subset $2.50
Total value of the Veterans $52.28 (74 cards)

Rookies and Prospects (The cards from 151-200 are numbered to 2999)
No Doubles again. (Received 39 of the 100)

Highlights: Chin-Feng Chen $4.00
Total $22.55 for 39 cards)

Best Bets (1:15 packs, I received 1)
Sean Burroughs ($1.00) (Sucked for me because I had this one)
I love die-cut cards so I really enjoy the set design

Best Selections (1:30 packs, I received 1)
Cal Ripken $12.00
(This is a cool die-cut card which talks about the history of the drafting of the player)

Franchise Favorites (1:17, I received 1)
Cal Ripken $8.00 (sucked for me because I had this one already)
(Nice card that explains why the player is a super star)

Franchise 2000 (1:18, I received 1)
Alex Rodriguez $3.00
(Although I like die-cuts these are kind of lame in my opinion, black and white on a silver background)

Year by Year (1:23, I received 1)
Nomar/Vlad $1.50
(This is a cool idea, talks about the accomplishments of the particular year)

Bat Locker Room (1:376, I received 1)
Vernon Wells $10.00
(a sliver of bat on a card, mine was damaged unfortunately - I like bowman's best because they say something on the back of the card instead of "CONGRADS YOU RECIEVED....BLAH BLAH"

Did not receive any of these:
Jersey Lock Room (1:206); Autograph Locker (1:57), Autograph Franchise (1:574)

Paid $107.00 received $110.85, net plus $3.85

All-in-All i liked the box, it was a wash financially, but it was a fun open. There is only one card worth more than $80 in the entire set so I would not pay more than $110.00 for any box of 2000 bowman's best

 

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2/3/2022

Bought my second box of 2000 Bowman’s Best. I did not re-read my prior analysis, but I have to say after only collecting Bowman’s Best for an extended period of time, these are the highest quality of card. It is unfortunate that the set is not worth more.

This was 24 packs 5 cards per pack = $120 cards

Bought on Ebay for $75, 15 shipping and then tax = $96.25

Base Set – I have to say it is quite the high quality of card. I received 74 base set “Gold” or “Veteran cards. Highlights: Chipper ($1.00) Bonds ($1.5) Ripken $2.5 Ramirez $1.00 Randy Johnson $1.00 Gwynn $1.00 Beltre $1.00 Sosa $1.00 Thomas $1.00 Arod $1.25 Piazza $1.00 Maddux $1.25 McGwire $1.50 McGwire (subset) $1.50 Griffy (subset $2.50) Jeter subset $2.50 Sosa subset $1.00 Arod subset $1.25 Bonds Subset $1.50 Piazza subset $1.00 Griffey subset $2.50

After buying two boxes: I still need 3 Tony Clark ($0.40); 91 Ripken $2.50’ 98 Shawn Green $0.40

I love about most bowman’s Best is that you don’t get stuck with a ton of doubles (none here) you can usually complete the base set with 2 boxes and the cards (especially this year) are high quality.

74 Base Set Veterans received valued at $52.80

Allegedly SP Rookies and Prospects 50 cards (101-150)

This is the lowlight of this set, allegedly shorter printed cards of a bunch of no-bodies. Received 45/50 again no duplicates which I love, but only two cards above $1.00 – Soriano $1.00 and Josh Hamilton $1.25

After purchasing two boxes I still need: 106 Ozuba $0.60; 110-Corey Patterson $0.50; 123 Mulder $0.40; 130-Dunn $0.50; 145 Soriano $1.00

I received 45/50 of these cards valued at $15.65 (I told you these weren’t much of anything)

#’d Rookies and Prospects (to #’d 299) 151-200

Based upon my two boxes you get 3-4 of these per box. Nice cards like base set but the numbering isn’t that clear. This Box 170 Rowand $6.00; 179 McDougal $2.00; 197 Luis Matos $1.25

Nothing spectacular but then again the biggest “base” cards are Bloomquist $12.00; Santana $20 and Zito $10

I’ve gotten 6 out of two boxes and traded for 3 for a total of nine so either 44/50 or 41/50 after two boxes

I received 3 of these valued at $9.25

Inserts:

Best Bets (1/15, should receive one, did receive one valued at $2.50)

I don’t know why but I love die-cut cards, so I love this insert, not much value here: Soriano $2.50

Best Selections (1/30, possible to receive one, I did receive one valued at $4.00)

Just like above I enjoy this card: Chipper Jones $4.00

Franchise Favorites (1/17 – should receive one, did receive two valued at $7.50)

Nice to receive two when you should get one, but especially getting Cal: Ripken $6.00; Brooks Robinson $1.50

Franchise 2000 (1/18 – should receive one, did receive two valued at $8.50)

Nice to receive two when you should get one again, nice to get Jeter $6.00 and Piazza $2.50:

Year by Year (1/23 – should receive one, did receive one valued at $2.50): I like the idea of this insert but Manny and Shawn Green $2.50

Autographs/Game Used: Jersey (1/206); Bat (1/376); Auto (1/57) Auto Franchise Favorites (1/574)

With Bowman’s Best you tend to expect to get autographs even though the odds for this product do not dictate that you will. I received none. Which was kind of disappointing.

In the end, I really like this product. I paid 96.25 got $105.50 for a “profit” of $8.80.

 

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2021 Bowman’s Best (Purchased 12/30/21 and Opened 1/7/2022) Not posted until now due to not all values being available. (COME BACK AND READ AGAIN WHEN UPDATED DUE TO COLLATION ERROR – SEE BELOW – AUTOGRAPHS).

Paid $274.95 on December 31, 2021 (including all fees/taxes/etc)

Box Break Down:

2021 Bowman's Best was released December 31st and consists of a 100-card base set. Each pack will yield one Refractor parallel, and each 12-pack Hobby box will have four autographs, six inserts, and an Atomic Refractor.**SEE BELOW**AUTOGRAPHS)

• According to advertising you should get 60 cards, 1 Atomic Refractor, 4 Autographs, 6 Inserts, 12 Refractors, leaving 37 Base cards (I received: 59 Total, 1 Atomic, 1 Auto, 10 Inserts and 13 refractors (1 Green) and 34 Base Cards
• Two, six-pack miniboxes per box, five cards per pack. Eight boxes per case. Hobby only. (60 Cards)

Base Set:

This year is different as in most years the top prospects or rookies had their own prefix, however, this year (in violation of the MLBPA agreement, maybe?) Bowman’s Best did not do this, the result is true Rookie Cards, which should not be (maybe?). I think this is resulting in overvaluation of cards. Anyway, the base set is 1-100 and includes rookies, veterans and prospects.

I received 29 cards valued at $99.50 plus doubles

The cards themselves are reminiscent of recent years with splashes of different colors in the background replacing the actual background. The cards like always are foil and higher quality than many sets, this year seems to have more mirror effect than prior years.

Highlights: 7 Cristian Pache $5.00; 10 Kirillof $3.00; 20 Luciano $4.00; 21 Vaugn $3.00; 22 Jordan $10.00; 27 Kelenic $8.00; 31 India $8.00; 49 Rodriguez $6.00; 52 Acuna $4.00; 66 Merrill $2.50; 68 Dalbec $4.00; 72 Hayes $6.00; 75 Veen $3.00; Barrero $3.00; 10 Torkelson $10.00

Commons are $0.75 and Semi-Stars are $1.00

The bad: usually this is a bad thing, but I did get 4 doubles, but it is hard to complain about these doubles: 72 Hayes $6.00; 63 Torress $1.50; 16 Degrom $1.50; 10 Krillioff $3.00; 7 Pache $5.00 (the doubles are available for trade).

29 base valued at $99.50

5 doubles valued at $16.75

Base cards: $116.75 (34 of the 59 cards are “base” cards new stat I’m adding: 57.6% Base)

Refractors:

There is one refractor per pack but it can be any number of the eight different refractors, my guess would be 10 refractors and one atomic because they are 1/12 and then one of the other 6 parallel versions (I received more **SEE AUTOGRAPHS BELOW**)

I received:

12 refractors – Highlights: #4 Judge $6.00; #19 Lois Robert $5.00; 31 J India $10; 47 Bellinger $3.00; 49 J Rodriguez $10.00; 68 Dalbec $5.00

I like that they have the word “refractor” written on them

12 refractors valued at $47.50 with no doubles

Other Refractors

Atomic Refractor (1/12, not numbered)

I received one: Xander Bogaerts $2.50

Green Refractor (#’d of 99)

I received one: Jonathan India (#’d 56/99) $50.00

I did not receive: Purple (#’d 250), Aqua Lava (#’d 199) Blue (#’d 150), Gold Lava (#’d 75) Gold (#’d 50)

14 cards for $100 in the parallel versions

INSERTS:

The marketing materials say 6 inserts.

Future Vibrance (1/3 packs, should get 4; Parallels are Atomic 1/48, Lava #’d to 50)

I should have gotten 4, I got 5 all the basic versions:

Highlights: 16 Blaze Jordan $10; 35 Mountcastle $4.00; 38 Montgomery

6 Future Vibrance valued at $23.50

Heat Wave Die Cuts (1/6; 1/48 Atomic; Lava #’d 50)

I received 2 and should’ve received two. I love these cards, but I enjoy die cut cards more than most

#7 Cowser $6 and #18 Torress $3.00

I did receive an Atomic Heat Wave:

6 Marcelo Mayer $50.00

I love die cut cards and getting a $50 one makes me enjoy them so much more

3 Heat Waves for a total of $59.00

Rookie Craftsmanship (1/18; Atomic 1/196; Lava #’d 50)

Not my favorite card for two reasons, first it just appears kind of lame. Second the backing seems to flake off around the edges.

I received two: 9 Ke’Bryan Hayes $8.00; and 18 Ha-Seong Kim $1.50

(I received no Atomic or Lavas)

That is 2 Rookie Craftsmanship for $9.50

Masterpieces (1/18, Atomic 1/?; Lava #’d 50)

I received none.



AUTOGRAPHS

The box and all advertising say 4 autograph, 2 per each mini box.

I should have received 4 and I received one: Refractor of Dylan Lynch $8.00

Everyone knows that Bowman’s Best means you get 4 autographs per box. That’s how they’ve branded themselves as and that is why so many buy these boxes. I could not tell you the level of disappointment me and my sons had when we only pulled one (None in the first box).

*****I have sent a claim into Topps and when they respond I will update this, However, this was a very disappointing box ****** Because I was promised 4 hits and got one.



I have received 59 Cards (should’ve been 60) valued at $316.50. I received 1 autograph valued at $8.00 (should have been four). On the positive side, I did receive two $50 inserts and multiple of the doubles were decent names. Additionally, I feel like I received additional inserts because 3 autographs were missing.



Paid $274.95

Received: $316.50 (which should go up when Topps sends me the other three autographs)

Net “Profit” $41.55

 

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I purchased a box of 2021 but I forget to do a review, so I messed that up.

Found a cheap box of 2000 Bowman's Best
$56 plus tax plus shipping = $70.61
I've reviewed this many times, so I am just giving the details:

5 cards per pack 24 packs per box should get 120 cards

Base:
I received 72 of the 120 cards of base veterans valued at $52
I received 39 of the 120 cards of "base" rookies and prospects valued at $20
Jeter $2.50 and Griffery $2.50 and Ripken $2.50 are the highlights
{151-end is numbered to 2999 and is inserted 1/7, I received 3 all worth $1.25}

Best Best 2 cards $2.00
Best Selections 1 card $2.50
Franchise Favorites 2 cards $3.50
Franchise 2000 1 card $2.50
Year by Year 1 card $6.00 (Sosa Griffey)
Autograph Locker Room 1 card $10.00 (Peter Bergeron)

I recieved one double valued at $0.40

Overall kind of disappointing, there were basically 2 cards above $5.00 The year by year and the Bergeron autograph.

I received $98.80 total for all 120 cards. Paid: $70.61, net positive of $28.19 not because of how good the box was, but rather because I found a great deal.

90% of cards were base and 0.8% were doubles (which I love)

 

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Review of 2002 Bowman’s Best Box

Purchase: (05/10/2022) $135.00+$5.00 shipping + $9.80 tax = $149.80

Make up: 10 packs per box, 5 cards per pack and 1 autograph/game used per pack

Base Set: 90 base cards; 91 game used/autographs (1 per pack)

The cards are nice as usual; however some cards are chipped. I received 33 base cards, 3 of which were chipped (flaking) and I’m throwing them away, sucks to get 50 cards and throw 6% of the cards away

33 cards valued at $33.00

Highlights: Garcipara $3.00; Randy Johnson $2.00 (chipped) other 31 are $1.00 or less

DOUBLES 5 cards worth $5.25

38 cards worth $38.25

AUTO/GAME USED

Colina $8.00 Mauer $60 Young $8 Foley $8 Jenks $8 DePaula $8

7 cards $84.00 The Mauer is the best one to get, so I’m not complaining

Blue Base Set (1:6 #’d to 300)

76 Burrell $2.00 (you’d think it’d be worth a little more than $2.00)

Blue Auto (1/6 and/or 1/14 packs)

Valverde $8.00 Ramos $8.00; Cota $8.00

Red Base Set (#’d 200 1:8 Packs)

Scott Rolen $4.00

% Base 76% (38 of 50 cards)

% Double 10% (5 of 50)

With only fifty cards you should not ever get doubles, this is what is most disappointing.

Paid $149.80

Received: $176.25 (minus three damaged cards - $2.00-$1.00-$0.75) $172.50

Net Profit: 22.70

$/card = 172.50/47=$3.67

 

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1998 Bowman’s Best RETAIL Box. (May 2022)

So I bought a retail box (Normally I’d only buy Hobby, but I can’t find Hobby for ’98) $96.05 Free Shipping $6.72 tax = $102.77 Total Paid.

Retail is 3 cards per pack and 20 packs

(Hobby is 24 packs 5/cards pack and Hobby has better insert ratios)

Should get Sixty Cards

Base Set

The Base set is broken into two halves like most Bowman’s Best, veterans (Gold) and Rookies and Prospects (Silver) The packs/boxes do not indicate that the Silver is short printed. I received 31 Gold (Veterans) and 25 Rookies/Prospects (Silver) so either the Silver is the same as the Gold or it is slightly short-printed.

1-100 Gold – I received 31 cards, no duplicates (my favorite) worth $48.15

Gold has a gold circle outlining a baseball with the player super-imposed on top. These are the highest quality cards of the time and probably the highest quality of most of the Bowman’s Best over the years.

Highlights: Ripken $3.00; Clemons $2.00 Randy Johnson $1.00 (Rest are $0.75 or less)

Silver, Just like the Gold, the Silver has a Silver Circle Outlining a Baseball with the Player super imposed in front.

I received 25 cards valued at $32.00

Highlights: Luis Rivas $1.00 Miguel Tejada $1.00 David Ortiz $20.00 (all others are $0.75 or less)

I am happy because Ortiz is the highest value base card, however, you have to think 3 cards of the 25 are worth $22 and the other 22 cards are worth $10.00

Insert

Refractors – I don’t know insertion rate, but I got one:

94 Curt Shilling (#’d 400) I am happy with who I got and any refractor is cool because they are numbered to 400.

Problem with many of the refractors with this era is that they have a print-line running horizontally across the card, so the top or bottom of the card looks darker than the inverse side of the card….wouldn’t you know that’s what I got. Book is $5.00

Atomic Refractors (none received)

Mirror Image Fusion

19 Maddux/Wood $4.00

Best Performance

BP7 Adiran Beltre $1.50

BP6 Paul Konerko $1.50

Total $102.77 for 60 Cards and Received $62.30

Net Loss = -$40.47

Value/Card $1.04

Doubles 0%

I don’t think this was a wise purchase, $62 for $102 and one refractor has a print line. I’ll stick with Hobby Boxes.

 

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1995 Bowman’s Best (Hobby Box)

I bought a box at my local antique toy store. These boxes go for about (24 cards 7 cards/pack=168) $400 plus tax and shipping = $445; I got a great deal of $214 including tax and no shipping).

Everyone wants: 1) Vlad Guerrero Sr, Refractor $500; 2) Jeter Refractor $120; 3) Jones refractor $200; 4) Vlad base $60

You get 4 refractors in a box and 2 will be red and 2 will be blue There are 90 blue cards and 90 Red cards. You’re chances of getting a Vlad or Jeter or Jones refractor is ¼ times 3/90 or 4 out of 360 which is about a 1 in 100 chance. I’m not sure spending $445 100 times is worth trying to get a $500 card.

In the set there are Blue (rookies/prospects) and Red (stars) both of which are 90 card sets. There is also Mirror Image which is a 15 card insert set and Mirror Image Diffractors (fancy refractors inserted 1:11 so you will get 2) in the box



This is what I got:

Red (Stars) Base

I received 72 Red base cards, however only 60 were unique. I received 10 Doubles and 2 triples.

The sixty unique cards I received were worth $57.00 and the 10 doubles were $9.50 and the 2 triples were $1.00 The 72 Red base cards had total value of $67.50. Nothing to write home about.

Highlights were Ripken ($4.00 got 2); Maddux ($2.00) Bonds ($2.50) Clemens ($3.00) Piazza ($2.00)Mattingly $3.00) Griffey Jr ($4.00) Perez ($2.00) Nomo $8.00 and Grudzielank $3.00)

I can’t complain except other than the Ripken double, the rest of the doubles were mostly $0.50.

(72 cards $67.50) I did receive two damaged cards, both were $0.50 cards. As you know I hat receiving doubles and triples as it doesn’t help me achieve my goal of completing the set.

Blue (Rookies and Prospects) Base

I received 76 Blue Base cards, however only 50 were unique, this was very disappointing. 50 unique base cards valued at $141.25; 19 doubles valued at $30.25; 6 triples valued at $16.50 and one quadruple valued at $5.00 (This means I received 4 of the same card valued at $5.00)

Highlights:

Vald Guerrero $60.00; Abreu $8.00; Pat Watkins $5.00 (I got 4=$20); Konerko $8.00 ( I got 3= $24); Garciaparra $5.00 (I got 2=$10.00); Ordonez $3.00 (I got 2=$6.00); Encarnacion $3.00; Colon $6.00; Carpeneter $8.00; Rolen $10

Total Base Blue = 76 valued at $192.50 (I hate getting doubles and triples, but at least most of the doubles and triples were $5.00+ cards)

Mirror Image:
I receive 12 of the 15 mirror image cards and their total value as $16.00; I did get the highest two valued which were #5 Juan Gonzalez ($4.00) and Griffey $2.50. (I received no doubles)

Mirror Image Diffractors (Refractors)
I received two (1:11) and I received the best two #5 Juan Gonzales $15.00 and #9 Frank Thomas $12.00
2 cards valued at $27.00

Refractors
Everyone buys these boxes for the refractors trying to hit Vlad/Jeter/Jones. I did not hit one. I essentially received 4 common refractors:

Red Refractors
31 Cone $5.00 and Biggio $8.00
2 cards = $13.00

Blue Refractors
#6 Ogeda $5.00 and Ahearn3 $5.00
2 cards = $10.00
4 cards = $23.00

167 cards valued at $331.50 plus two damaged cards

$1.99/card 22.7% doubles (includes triples and quadrouples)
ROI: 55% (331.5-214.5)/214

 

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I had previously purchased two boxes, that I did not do a write up for over the summer:

1995 Retail (20 packs 5 cards/pack) cost: $322.56 received $226.00 10% doubles $2.24/card -30% ROI and 43.8% of Base

2021 60 Cards (12 packs 5 cards/pack) cost: $349.99, received $418.00 0% Doubles, $6.97/card 19% ROI and 31% Base

 

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Update:
I had purchased a box of 2015 and we had received a redemption card of Fransisco Lindor Hi-Def Heritage AUTOGRAPH. Obviously this had expired. I sent the card into Topps in August of 2022. I received a letter from Topps on Saturday. The provided the following:
1 Pack of 2020 Heritage (9 cards BV received: $8.50)
2 Packs of 2020 Opening Day (13 cards BV received: $12.50)
2016 Bowman Chrome Greene AUTO #61/99 Austin Gomber ($30)
2015 Bowman Future Games Relic Henry Owens (#'d 25) ($25)

So the Lindor was worth $200, they sent me $75 in replacement book value. While this is not an even trade and you'd think they'd know it, I have to tell you I am very Happy as I did not expect them to send anything.

Bill

 

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2021 Bowman’s Best Box (11/14/2022)

Purchased for $299.99

I bought a box of Bowman’s Best, it was quite frankly the best box I have ever opened. Every pack either hat a nice insert or a good rookie in it.

Each Master box contains two mini boxes, each mini box has 6 packs and 5 cards per pack. Each mini-box has two autographs. Each pack has a refractor as the last card in the pack and the next to last card in each pack is the autograph or an insert. In most packs the first 3 cards are base cards, however, every-so-often (I believe 2 of the six packs or 4 of the 12 packs) the third card is an insert as well. Almost all packs are: Card 1: Base; Card 2: Base; Card 3: Base (sometimes insert/parallel), Card 4: always insert, Card 5: always refractor. Thus you should get 4 Autos, 12 Refractors, and approximately 12 other inserts/parallels, leaving 32 base cards. This is how this box stacked up

Base: Received 32 Cards

Highlights: 1 Trout ($10) 4 Judge ($5) 22 Jordan ($6) 26 Chisolm ($10) 27 Kelenic ($5) 31 India ($8) 34 Petty ($4) 49 Julio Rodriguez ($30); 51 Austin Martin ($6) 52 Acuna ($4) 65 Mountcastle ($8) 68 Dalbec ($4) 81 Gimenez ($3) 88 Ford ($10) 96 Soto ($4)

32 Cards Received (No doubles – which is my favorite) valued at $142.25

(almost ½ of which were $3 or more)

Refractors: Received 12 cards

As stated above you should get 12 “base” refractors (not colored), I received 12: Highlights

25 Rutschman ($8); 39 Lawler ($12); 41 Dominguez ($15); 64 Carlson ($5); 67 Ohtani ($10); 91 Gilbert ($4); 95 Perez ($5)

12 cards Received valued at $70.00

Colors – Refractors Received 2 Cards

I received 1 Atomic Refractor and quite frankly couldn’t ask for anything better: Wander Franco $120.00

I received 1 RED #’d 05/10 of Akil Baddoo, there is not a book value on this card, the Gold version is #’d of 50 and is valued at $15.00, the orange #’d to 25 is $25.00…. for purposes of this analysis I will say $50.00 for the Baddoo

Two Colored Refractors valued at $170.00

Future Vibrance (1:3 Packs – Should receive 4)

Highlights:

Kelenic ($5), Colmenarez ($6) Perez ($4); House ($8)

I also received an Atomic Future Vibrance which is 1:48 Packs: Heston Jkerstad ($8)

That five future vibrance valued at $27.00

Heatwave Diecuts

(Of the set these are my favorites, the cards are inserted 1:6, so I should get two and I got two)

Tatis $8.00 Mike Trout $12.00 (2 cards for $20.00)

I also received a Lava (insert rate: ?/? #’d of 50); Colton Cowser $60

Three Heatwave Die-cuts valued at $80.00

Rookie Craftsmanship (1 in 18 packs, I received 1)

Kelenic $6.00

1 card $6.00

Masterpieces (1 in 18 packs, I received 1)

Wander Franco $20.00

Autographs (Should receive 4, I received 4)

As if the above wasn’t good enough, this is where it gets really good.

Autograph 1: Eduardo Garcia $12.00

Autograph 2: Taylor Walls $6.00

Autograph 3: (GOLD #’d of 50: Bryan Ramos ($30.00)

Autograph 4: Heatwave Die Cut Spencer Torkleson (#’d 150) $400.00

4 Autographs worth $448.00 (just the autos covered the cost of the box)

Final Analysis:

Best box I think I have ever opened. Assuming $50 for the Baddoo (#’d to 10) there are 60 cards valued at $967.00, no doubles.

My normal analytics: 60 Cards $967.25 Paid: $300.00 Net +$367.25 $16.21/card 50% of the cards were base cards.

Great Job Topps!