2014 Bowman Sterling Baseball Cards

Wow. Topps might have just lost a customer. This feels like a classic ‘bait-and-switch’ – 2013 Bowman Sterling was my first year to try that set (i build base Topps and Bowman sets every year, but get one or two high-ends a year.) The 2013 Sterling blew me away! All on-card prospects/rookies on solid premium cards. I couldn’t wait to buy the 2014 box… my emotions can be summed in one word: STICKERS. All but 3 of the autos were stickers and then 2 base auto redemptions!?!? You have got to be kidding me. Card design is absolutely atrocious (Can’t even read the player’s names!) Just don’t buy it. Go for Bowman Chrome Prospect Super Jumbo if you’re chasing prospect autos… better bang for your buck. I’ve been loyal to Topps for many years, but after a couple of terrible redemption experiences and product issues, it might be time to send my money elsewhere. Don’t waste your money on 2014 Bowman Sterling.

Is their a link for the Thorpe dilemma? Thanks

Stuff is one of the ugliest sets I’ve ever seen. And whom ever asked why Bryant isn’t in here is beyond me too? You’d think he’d be in there….guess they were to busy mass producing bowman chrome refractors….I think their were 2500 with all the redemptions being him? I’m still in aww that people are asking $20k for his graded 10’s. what also makes my jaw drop is who has them. Seems like the same people and they all have 10’s! Is it possible some are going out the backdoor and people who work at these grading companies are grading them themselves? I just don’t see how he can be demanding more than trout when trout is proven even thou I believe he’s on peds because if you look at his pictures from 2011 he wasn’t even a fraction of how huge he is now. Bryant will never fill out like that. Bryant is taking over for jeter as my favorite player but I would never spend that kind of money on his nor anyone’s besides a jeter foil or Jordan or something pre-1960 of a HOF of any sport. Wish this were a hobby still. I know most that come here are collectors besides a few that only care about ROI!

the cards kind of look like a throwback to the lean years…maybe they should rebrand the product…maybe something like “Bowman Sterling: Metal Universe Redux”–these cards are still not as bad as 2014 Finest; and how ’bout that Tek or whatever product–after I finished opening it, I was actually embarrassed that I bought a box.

This release of Sterling makes it official: I am finished with most high-end products (I’m a sucker for Tribute–and I did hit big with Dynasty), most current set building (still gotta have my Archives and Gypsy Queen), and of other forms of the hobby lottery that tOPPS has created.

If only Panini had MLB rights also–some healthy competition would help the hobby–and Panini is killing tOPPS on design right now…just look at this year’s release of Bowman Sterling: Metal Universe Redux–tOPPS has hit bottom….

Nick, I’d not heard anything about a suspect Thorpe piece… though I’m not shocked; manufacturers have been putting jerseys, helmets, caps, cleats, gloves, bats, various balls and other accoutrements of Sport through food processors and “carding-up” the results since mebbe ’01. That’s a lot of product whereas there are but a finite number of authenticatable game-used/player-worn Mem’ hailing from the early 20th century, let alone the 19th. Thus, a fraudulent Thorpe jersey comes as a surprise only in that the question of questionable provenance hasnt arisen sooner. It’s disappointing, however, to hear of Panini’s refusal to accept accountability, as I infer from your comment.
Accordingly, as I stated in my prior post, with no “official agency” monitoring the industry, it’s manufacturers, and their handling of historical artifacts, it falls to the manufacturers themselves to self-police, and collectors such as ourselves to hold Panini & Topps accountable.

Jamey, I’m not so sure of paninis standards either. Have you read up on the Jim Thorpe controversy, the fake jersey cards that they aren’t doing anything about?

This is just another fancy re-hash of pricey, prior Topps products (say that 7 times fast and I’ll give you an Oscar Taveras auto!)
That Taveras is included as a “hit” in such products, as I have mentioned relative to other Topps products such as Dynasty, is outrageous. The guy’s death is a tragedy, but he had little to no impact on Baseball bc his career had yet to begin, even with all of that potential.
Topps needs to take a long hard look at the year’s releases…& with few exceptions, the marked consumer distaste. A vibrant Topps will force the only other major trading card manufacturer, Panini, to keep THEIR standards high and price-points sane.

Another rushed, forced product. I was hoping there would be a reduction in releases for 2015, but I don’t see it. Plus one of ones having parallels tells me they are out of creative ideas and forcing the issue now.

No Rays cards at all. And same guys that are in every other product. I’m guessing Topps had stickers of Taveras?

Why does Kris Bryant not have an auto in this set? Everyone else seems to have one.

Why have a red refractor parallel numbered 1/1 and a superfractor parallel of the same card numbered 1/1? Think it waters down the specialness of hitting a 1/1. And that doesn’t even take into account the 1/1 printing plates.

Does anyone know if these are sticker autos? After looking at some of the items listed on Ebay, it looks like there was a lot of them. I know last years product was NOT stickers, and that is why I am confused.

If that is the case, that is a little disappointing that the product actually took a step back. Please let me know! Thanks!

18 Autos. that’s ridiculous. 2014 was a good year for rookies and prospects. If I had 240 bucks , I’d be in. Maybe graduation gift? Idk it’s a risky product but this year could be worth the risk.

Wow, I’m definitely not liking the look. Die cut auto & wave refractor as a case hit guarantee isn’t going to make it any more appealing.

The 2013 design was bland and blah…this is just downright ugly! Maybe the cards will look better in hand??? But of course beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so if you like these, enjoy em!