DATA: 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Gold (UH185) (1221/2008)

ACQUIRED: checkoutmycards.com

PING: Nice gold card to add to the collection of 2008 Topps Updates and Highlights set. We still need to track down the black version – a sharp looking card, but kinda hard to find.

This particular card has some printing issues. It looks like the “sparkle plate” was off and created a offset shift on the printing. I’m wondering if they are all like this, or just a certain percentage of the run. I’m surprised this kind error would have made it past the press check. Oh well.

This card is serial numbered out of 2008.

DATA: 2008 Upper Deck Documentary Gold Parallel (80, 380, 680, 980, 1280, 2480)

ACQUIRED: Cincy Reds Cards

PING: Just when I thought that SIX Documentary cards of Mr. Votto were plenty, Joe from Cincy Reds Cards hooks me up phat with SIX more. Now, this isn’t just SIX more Documentary cards, it’s SIX parallels. And what a sweet paralell it is! Upper Deck stamped “2008″ on this bad-boy and also made a box at the bottom of the card gold instead of silver.

Mind. Blown.

DATA: 2009 Bowman Gold

ACQUIRED: bayTRON

PING: If you haven’t heard, JV went on the DL today. Total bummer. It seems that this inner ear infection (or, whatever it is) just won’t go away. From what I’ve heard about those things, it takes a while to get it out of your system and it can make anything athletic a challenge real quick. Obviously, let’s hope that Joey can get over this soon and return to the team. I’m sure that’s what he wants more than anything.

So, here we have a 2009 Bowman Gold card of Mr. Votto. Pretty sweet photo of him, isn’t it. With all the 2009 releases coming, it’s fun to see some new photography on his cards. Overall, these Bowman cards are a bit cheesy – the little baseballs containing the numbers are a bit to cliche for my taste. Nice choice of font though – clean and legible with a little hint of style in the serif.

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 Sterling Gold Chrome Refractor (BS-JV)

ACQUIRED: From Cincy Reds Cards

PING: This is a mac-daddy of a card right here. Ol’ Joe, proprietor of the venerable card blog, Cincy Reds Cards hooked me up with this bad boy. This was a major solid, from one Reds fan to another. I can say enough about my man Joe, but I owe him some mad hook-up now.

Let’s talk about the card, shall we?

AWESOME.

That about sums it up. This card, number 45/50, really kicks my Votto Bowman Sterling collection up a notch.

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: 2006 Bowman Chrome Gold (FG8)

ACQUIRED: ‘bay

PING: This card right here is NUCLEAR Chrome. How about that scan? Retina burning, huh? You love it though, don’t you? Yeah, I know you do. This sucka is numbered 31/50… so it’s a little on the rare side. Just the way I like it.

DATA: 2007 Bowman Gold (BDPP98)

ACQUIRED: Moeller Card Show, 2008

PING: Welcome to the Parallel City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty! The gold version of the 2007 Bowman Joey Votto.

DATA: 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Gold (UH185)

ACQUIRED: Gift from JayBee

PING: Another Joey Votto care from JayBee. Thanks, man! The base version of this Topps Updates and Highlights card was previously posted and now we have the Gold type embossed version of the card. Other than the gold emboss, I can tell no other difference between the cards. Hooray for parallels! Seriously, I do kinda dig them. I guess I enjoy endless repetition. Speaking of… there are still a few more parallels of this card I am still seeking. Just sayin’.

DATA: 2006 Bowman Gold (FG8)

ACQUIRED: At the Big Red Machine Reunion

PING: Yet another Bowman parallel crossed of the list. The versions will never end will they?