First Impressions - 2019 Bowman Platinum

I caved. I don't have any conveniently located local card shops to visit, so I rely on the retail stores for my card fix. When I heard that Wal-Mart and Target had their own specials for National Baseball Card Day, my fear of missing out justified my purchase of a pack of Bowman Platinum. I don't usually purchase Bowman products, but I wanted those Gallery sneak peaks!

#TOP-14 Victor Mesa Jr.

The honor of the first card goes to Mr. Mesa Jr. Right off the bat, I have to say I'm disappointed. This year's design is such a huge drop from last year's. It's proof that even shiny things can be blah.

#TOP-7 Jonathan India
#TOP-41 Alex Royalty

Here's a look at the back. Not much to get excited about here either. If this guy, doesn't play for Kansas City at some point in his career, I'll be disappointed.

#TOP-55 Owen Miller
#TOP-45 Luken Miller
#RR-20 Kevin Newman (RC) (Renowned Rookies insert)

The first insert I get to see is the Renowned Rookies card of Kevin Newman. Not really a fan of the text right in the middle of the card, but at least I can appreciate a guy who's helped out a few of my fantasy league teams!

#22 Christian Yelich

Here we have the Major Leaguer section of the pack. Although still uninspiring, I like this basic background much better than the angled cuts on the prospect cards.

#16 Rowdy Tellez (RC)
#6 Kyle Tucker (RC)
#35 Walker Buehler
#63 Rhys Hoskins
#74 Mookie Betts

Mookie! This is the 8th set I've done a First Impressions post on this year, and in half of them I have pulled a card of last year's MVP. I've got the Mookie Mojo!

#TOP-66 Christian Javier
#TOP-72 Jo Adell

This would be the only prospect I've heard of.He's currently the #4 ranked prospect in baseball and could be a special player.

#TOP-81 Royce Lewis
#TOP-89 Andres Munoz
#20 Pete Alonso (RC)

A rookie card of the eventual N.L. Rookie of The Year, and it's a short print too! Can I retire now?

#79 David Price
#PPP-7 Brady Singer (Prismatic Prodigies insert)
#TOP-62 Tirso Ornelas (Purple parallel SN250)

OK, cool, I got a SN250 parallel of someone I never heard of. I hope he has a very long and successful major league career!

#85 Charlie Blackmon
#11 Khris Davis
#17 Ryan Borucki (RC)
#62 Eric Hosmer

National Baseball Card Day Gallery Preview Pack

Yeah, that's why I bought this. Don't judge me.

#GP-AJ Aaron Judge
#GP-SO Shohei Ohtani
#GP-MT Mike Trout

Not too shabby. Artwork looks improved, and I like the script they use for the name.

#GP-JA Jose Altuve
Topps Gallery coupon

OK, so a mediocre product at best. You won't see me buying any more packs. Now if my Wally World would just start stocking Archives....