DATA: 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Updates Blue (BDP9)

ACQUIRED: Man, I don’t remember

PING: It’s Bowman. It’s Blue. It’s Votto. Numbered 069/300, this card is holding it’s own.

DATA: 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Updates Gold (BDP9)

ACQUIRED: Don’t remember

PING: Joey’s Gold parallel from the 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and updates release. He’s the cover boy for the set, so you know he’s rockin’ all fly the parallels. I like that Bowman went with the thin stock on these gold insert cards. The thick ones – used as dummy cards in packs – were just kinda lame. Plus, they stretch out my 9-pocket plastic sheets. I just can’t get on board with that mess.

DATA: 2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Refractor (BDP9)

ACQUIRED: bayTRON

PING: Votto comin’ strong with the 2008 Bowman refractor. Great stuff in person, not so much in a scan. Maybe we should change up our techniques? Maybe. Again, Joey’s about to stroke one against the Yankees.

DATA: 2007 Bowman Gold Chrome Refractor (BDPP98)

ACQUIRED: bayTRON

PING: Serial numbered 49/50, this shiny little number is a nice addition to the collection.

DATA: 2008 Bowman Draft Pick & Updates (BDP9)

ACQUIRED: Moeller Card Show, 2008

PING: What the hell, Bowman? Tell me why you produced a Joey Votto card for this set. He’s not a Draft Pick, nor have you done anything based off an update or even a highlight. Whatever. Like I said, it’s cards like these that keep this website tickin’.

I do love the patience at the plate shown in this photo. Joey is just messin’ with the pitcher right here – taking a quick time out to tweak with his game. It’s guaranteed that Votto stroked the next pitch.

DATA: 2002 Bowman Draft Picks (BDP44)

ACQUIRED: Moeller Card Show, 2008

PING: Ah, the actual Joey Votto rookie card. Finally have one. Probably overpaid a little bit at $4, but after a poke around eBay, I couldn’t have done too much better after shipping. It feels good to have the Votto card that started it all – even has Joey listed as a catcher on the back. Speaking of the back of the card, this may be the only photo of Joey on a baseball card Joey where he cracks a smile. Check the photo to the right to see what I am talking about. He’s dead serious in all the rest of his cards. I love it. Click here for a look at the full version of the back.

Also, why does this card have to be so damn ugly? For real, this is not a great design at all. Come to think of it though… it’s pretty Tron-like… maybe I will grow to like it. Either way, it’s in the collection now, where it will stay.