[pyweed]

I'm still having some difficulty navigating the new site, and I don't see any other case breaks on this board, so please excuse me if I am putting this post on the wrong page.

I've always liked the Bowman Chrome product, and in the past I usually ripped multiple cases as close to the release date as possible.  But this year I was underwhelmed with the checklist, the diluted autograph list, and the general direction of the Bowman brand.  I guess I wasn't alone in this, as I watched case prices steadily fall. 

Obviously, I finally broke down and bought 10 cases to bust.  Old habits die hard.  I honestly don't know how much longer Bowman Chrome will be able to hold my attention.  Waiting until October to buy is a huge change for me; next year I might be able to go without completely.  I hope the Bowman brand isn't betting on persistent customer loyalty in the face of declining quality.

But enough soapboxing.  I bought 10 cases for $5150 and my only consolation in the face of giving in is that I didn't pay pre-order prices.  Actually, the much greater consolation is that I get to bust 120 boxes of the stuff.  And I will share the process with you, knowing that (1) public exultation and commiseration is more fun, and (2) there are a handful of other junkies who enjoy watching breaks.

It will probably take me a week or so, but I will put them all in this thread, one box at a time, and I will grade the cases individually.  That's my thing, grading cases.  Your input at any stage, on any topic is welcome, particularly in helping me grade the cases.  One exception: there's no point in asking availability of any cards because I won't know what I want to keep for several weeks.

I hope to get through a full case tonight, Wednesday, in between family time, Project Runway, and the Daily Show.  I will update my progress in the thread title, provided that functionality still exists.

Here we go!  Yahoo!

[pyweed]

Case #1

Listing out only numbered parallels and autos.

Box #1
Auto: Ludovicus Van Mil
Orange Refractor: Gary Matthews
Blue Refractor: Luis De La Cruz
Xfractor: Brian McCann
Refractor: Mike DeJesus
Comments: One blue and one orange ought to make me happy, but both are duds.  And I'd be content if this was the only Van Mil I pulled in the 120 boxes. 
Grade: D

Box #2
Auto: Brennan Boesch Blue Refractor
Orange Refractor: Jorge Posada
Blue Refractor: Kevin Youkilis
Blue Refractor: Zach Jevine
Comments: Wow, a lot of color.  All orange and blue so far; looks like a U of Illinois tailgate.  I have to love the blue auto, even though it's a weakish Tigers prospect. 
Grade: C

Box #3
Auto: Josh Kreuzer
Blue Refractor: Derek Jeter
Comments: That's my fifth blue in three boxes -- way above expectations.  And Jeter's about as good as it gets for a non-auto.  No depth to the box, though.
Grade: D

Box #4
Auto: Mark Melancon
Xfractor: Rhyne Hughes
Comments: No blue refractor, what a ripoff!  But seriously, a box can't get much weaker.  I guess I'd rather have Melancon than another Kreuzer. 
Grade: D-

Box #5
Auto: Engel Beltre Blue Refractor
Xfractor: Aubrey Huff
Refractor: Robert Fish
Comments: I consider this a really big hit, good enough to make up for one or two mediocre boxes.  Huff and Fish are throwaways, but who cares?
Grade: A

Box #6
Auto: Dustin Richardson Refractor
Blue Refractor: Christian Lopez
Comments: Ouch, I guess this is one of those boxes that Box #5 is paying for.
Grade: D-

Box #7
Auto : Matt Green
Blue Refractor: Ryan Mullins
Comments: See above, but worse.
Grade: D-

Box #8
Auto: Brian Dinkelman
Blue Refractor: John Lackey
Xfractor: Jaime Pedroza
Comments: Another swing and a miss.
Grade D-

Box #9
Auto: Chris Valaika Blue Refractor
Xfractor: B. J. Upton
Refractor: Brent Brewer
Comments: Very nice blue auto.  I have to consider this a solid hit.
Grade: B

Box #10
Auto: Engle Beltre
Comments: No numbered parallels in this box; first time that has happened.  But a really good auto makes up for it.
Grade: C

Box #11
Auto: NONE
Gold Refractor: Matt Cain
Xfractor: Yunel Escobar
Comments: Thanks, Quality Control officer.  My very first case and I've got a box without an autograph.  Now I have to beg and plead in triplicate for a replacement, which will invariably be the least valuable of the ginormous auto set.  Get your act together, Bowman, before Razor eats your lunch.
Grade: F

Box #12
Auto: Mark Melancon
Blue Refractor: Alex Rodriguez
Xfractor: Bobby Crosby
Refractor: Justin Henry
Comments: I really didn't need another Melancon, but I suppose it's better than nothing, like Box #11, about which I'm still hopping mad.  I mean, Bowman promises just one thing -- an auto in every box.  So get that one thing right.  1/12 negative feedbacks would get you kicked off ebay.  Nice ARod, and I like Justin Henry too.
Grade: C-

[the cardboard fan]

I personally like the McCann out of that box... but I am a Braves fan...

[pyweed]

The Cardboard Fan Wrote:I personally like the McCann out of that box... but I am a Braves fan...

Good point.  I would have greatly preferred that McCann was the orange refractor in box #1.

[pyweed]

Okay, I'm resuming with Case #1.  Results are listed in the post above; I'm editing that post as I go along, adding the boxes as I break them.

[archangel19992004]

Thanks for sharing your case breaks! Here's hoping you pull a couple Superfractors!

[the cardboard fan]

Good luck... I WILL be posting a couple breaks in about a week as my birthday is coming up...
The Cardboard Fan

[beetle3211]

I wish I had the money to do a 10 case break.  Must be nice to have that much money to put into the hobby.

[pyweed]

Case #1 summary (box by box results listed above)

I had one great box and one good box, both characterized by Beltre autos.  There were two orange refractors and one gold, but they were all veterans.  The case was filthy rich with blue refractors, with 11 (including two autos and 5 other prospects).  The blue prospect cards are quite attractive.  If I wanted to invest more in this set I might consider building a set of blue prospects.  Finally, there were 7 xfractors and 5 base prospects refractors.

All things considered I'm not too dissatisfied with the first case break, aside from the missing auto.  I was unlucky with the high end parallels, but reasonably lucky with the autos and blues. 

Grade: I was going to give this case a D+, but I have modified it to C-.  With one more decent auto I give it a gentleman's C.  Your thoughts?

[pyweed]

archangel19992004 Wrote:Thanks for sharing your case breaks! Here's hoping you pull a couple Superfractors!

Thanks -- one would make my week!