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Brand History: Bowman’s Best

The History Behind Bowman’s Best

Debut Year: 1994
 
First released in 1994
Licensors: MLB
 
Value Level: Accessible
 

Bowman’s Best made its debut in 1994 as a response to the hobby community surrounding the introduction of chrome cards, spurred by the success of the super-premium 1993 Topps Finest release. The initial launch featured two distinct card designs: one dedicated to active players and another for rookies and prospects. Over time, the brand has evolved while maintaining a two-subset format. Prospects have their own dedicated subset and design, while active players and rookies are incorporated into a separate subset. This strategic shift ensures that Bowman’s Best effectively showcases the full spectrum of baseball talent at all levels. Presently, Bowman’s Best takes its place at the year’s conclusion, serving as a comprehensive highlight reel of the best prospects, rookies, and veteran players featured in Bowman releases throughout the year.

Who is Bowman’s Best for? 

Bowman’s Best is tailored for fans of Chrome Collecting, particularly those who focus on rookies and prospects. The product showcases the best veterans, rookies, and prospects of the year, presented in vibrant, dynamic, and thrilling designs. If you’re a fan of Topps Finest, adding Bowman’s Best to your collection is a must.

Why does Bowman’s Best matter?

Bowman’s Best holds a crucial role in the history and current landscape of the hobby, exceeding beyond baseball. It played a pivotal role in shaping the Chrome boom during the ’90s, laying the foundation for the significance of chrome technology in today’s hobby.

What’s new in Bowman’s Best?

In this year’s Bowman’s Best, a notable addition is the introduction of 1992 Bowman by Randy Johnson subset. In this subset Hall of Famer Randy Johnson photographed players in a pose that recreates the iconic imagery from the 1992 Bowman set.

What Am I chasing in Bowman’s Best?

Bowman’s Best showcases the pursuit of top 2023 MLB rookies and prospects. Notable rookies with autographs featured in the product include Michael Harris II, Corbin Carroll, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Anthony Volpe and Jordan Walker. The prospect checklist is equally strong, incorporating autographs from key prospects across all 2023 Bowman releases. This includes top prospects like Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday, Max Clark, Paul Skenes, Wyatt Langford, Jackson Chourio, and Spencer Jones.


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