• Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Write for Sports Collectors Daily
    • Write About Your Sports Collection
    • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Hot on Ebay
    • Most Watched Baseball Cards
      • 50 Hottest Baseball Hobby Boxes
      • Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs
      • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
      • Most Watched Vintage Baseball Card Sets
      • Babe Ruth Cards
      • Hank Aaron Cards
      • Mickey Mantle Cards
      • Willie Mays Cards
      • Nolan Ryan Cards
      • T206 Cards
      • Goudey Cards
      • 1952 Topps Cards
    • Most Watched Basketball
      • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2020-21 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
        • Zion Williamson Rookie Cards
        • Ja Morant Rookie Cards
      • Top Prizm Basketball Auctions
      • Luka Doncic Rookie Cards
      • LeBron James Rookie Cards
      • Michael Jordan Cards
      • Kobe Bryant Cards
      • National Treasures Cards (all sports)
    • Most Watched Football Cards
      • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
      • Most Watched 2020 NFL Rookie Card Auctions
      • Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards
    • Most Watched Hockey Cards
      • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2019-20 Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Connor McDavid Cards
      • Bobby Orr Cards
    • Most Watched Soccer Cards
    • Most Watched Golf Cards
    • Most Watched Rookie Cards
    • Most Watched PSA 10 Cards
    • Most Watched 1 of 1 Cards
    • Most Watched Memorabilia
    • Most Watched Racing Cards
    • Most Watched Autographs
  • Ending Soon on Ebay
    • Baseball Cards
    • Basketball Cards
    • Football Cards
    • Hockey Cards
    • Golf Cards
    • Vintage Sports Memorabilia

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports collecting news - Sports cards and sports memorabilia industry news.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, we may receive a commission.  It helps keep us afloat!

  • Sports Memorabilia News
    • Barnebys Sports Auction Highlights
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
      • Shop Talk
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Affordable Vintage Cards, Collectibles
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
    • Hobby Shops Selling, Breaking Online During COVID-19
  • Around The Hobby
    • Editor’s Blog
    • David Cycleback’s Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Popular Stories
  • Sell Your Cards
You are here: Home / Sports Card News / Modern Sports Card News / A Vintage Collector Plays the Ohtani 2018 Bowman Lottery

A Vintage Collector Plays the Ohtani 2018 Bowman Lottery

June 3, 2018 By Anson Whaley

If you’ve read my stories here, you generally understand that the bulk of them have a vintage and pre-war spin. Truthfully, that’s really all I collect. I haven’t bought packs of modern cards in years and couldn’t tell you the last thing I purchased. But all of the talk about Shohei Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman cards got me to thinking. Could a vintage collector play the Ohtani lottery in search of one of his rare inserts and come out on top?

There was only one way to find out.

Heading to Target

If I’m being honest, I know next to nothing about the 2018 Bowman cards and the Target Mega Boxes. That didn’t stop me from trying to play along as if I belonged, though.

My reconnaissance work consisted mostly (okay, entirely) of scoping out Twitter accounts to see what people had to say. I learned there’s some sort of very valuable Ohtani card and a lot of other just plain valuable ones. I also learned the boxes are plentiful in some areas and next to impossible to find in others. That was enough research for me.

So these boxes are found at Target. After reading reports of people coming up empty in looking for them, my hopes were not high. Just outside of Pittsburgh, I live in somewhat of a metro area where there are a decent number of collectors. I expected that they had been all scooped up and like many others, were now located on eBay at double or triple the sale price.

I’m told the boxes, if they were there at all, would be in a standalone end cap of sorts. So I walked the aisles, partly to kill time and partly to look for something else to buy so that I  didn’t waste the trip entirely. Some people had reported seeing them in the toy section so I went there. Upon finding the toys, I was immediately distracted with Star Wars paraphernalia. I’d like to tell you that I didn’t stop and look around but, well, at 40 you just don’t get to do this kind of thing very much. That this was the most excitement I had on a slow Saturday is, frankly, kind of disturbing.

Finding no such end caps with shiny Bowman cards, I went to the actual card section, expecting to come up empty there, too.

Cards, Cards, and More Cards

Finding the card section was relatively easy, even for someone not accustomed to shopping at Target all that much. There, I found boxes and boxes of hastily-arranged product on shelves, seemingly in no particular order. I was quite surprised to find that more than half of the boxes were Pokemon cards and other non-sports issues. There were actually kids sorting through those instead of the sports boxes, which made me wonder if that was an outlier or a real trend in the card hobby.

And then, there they were in all their glory – 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes (insert angelic choir sound here). 

It was obvious that the 8-10 boxes of 2018 Bowman were not originally located there and that they were sort of out of place. There was no labeling on the shelf for them and they were kind of just bunched up in front of other, presumably, lesser product. My guess is that the boxes in an end cap went quickly and the few remaining boxes were just sort of placed here by employees.

At $14.99, the price point is certainly not outrageous. It was less than the standard $19.99 that I saw for almost everything else, including WWE cards. Inside the Mega Boxes, you get five regular Bowman packs and two Bowman Chrome packs. The end result is a price point of $2.14 a pack, which sounds reasonable enough.

As mostly an online shopper already feeling out of place, I grabbed my prize of one box and headed for the cashier.

Getting Down to Business

Upon reaching home, I headed for the solitude of my office for the privacy required for such an event. After all, one does not hit the lottery and disturb television-watching spouses and sleeping dogs. If I was going to hit it big, I needed some space to celebrate.

Things got off to a slow start and it was apparent by the damage I caused to the box that I’m just not used to this sort of thing. Eventually, I got the box open and began opening the seven packs – two regular Bowman and two Bowman Chrome. So what did I find?

My sole numbered card was a Jorge Mateo Gold Refractor parallel numbered 44/50. Also found a few base cards of stars, including Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. A bunch of rookies. A few other shiny looking cards. But, alas, no Ohtani and no major inserts. The most notable pull for me was landing a card of Fernando Tatis, Jr. While not noteworthy, seeing his card did make me realize how utterly old I am getting as I watched his father play and even remember when he was a rookie himself.

Yeah, this day was shot, folks.

The Aftermath

So, what have we learned? What did I think?

The entire experience of opening the cards took all of about five minutes and I have to say that it was pretty unfulfilling. I didn’t particularly miss the feel of shiny cards being flipped through my chubby little fingers and seeing a bunch of names I didn’t recognize didn’t do much for me.

One card, for example, that I was actually pleased to find was T.J. Zeuch. Zeuch was a star pitcher at my alma mater, Pittsburgh, and went on to become a first round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016. He’s still quite a ways from reaching the majors and, I would think most collectors would be hard-pressed to identify him. Yet, here he was, along with countless others that may never even sniff the major leagues. As Bowman’s calling card, I know that prospects are ‘what they do.’ But as someone not really into the whole prospect game, these just seem like cards you’d sit on for a while and break out in a few years to see if anyone ‘made it.’ While thrilling for some, not my bag.

The overwhelming thought I got was that, I hope people aren’t simply buying these boxes in hopes of landing a big Ohtani score. 99% of the time, that would end in disappointment. The moral of the story here, if there is one, is that whatever you buy, don’t expect to hit the lottery and collect what you like.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Facebook Messenger

Related Stories:

Shohei Ohtani Signed Cards Coming to 2018 Bowman Topps Launches On-Demand ‘Rookie Sensations’ Set Bowman Mega Boxes Returning to Target Shohei Ohtani Superfractor Sells for $184,056 Topps Releases ‘2018 Rookie Year in Review’ Product Ohtani’s First Panini Autographs to Arrive in Donruss Baseball Free Grading for Ohtani Superfractor as Bowman Sales Boom What’s Hot: It’s Bowman and, Well, Everything Else Notes: Ohtani and Acuna Cards; Big Bucks for Old Micks; Bobblepalooza; Rams, 49ers Jerseys to Help Fire Victims Topps NOW Season Opens with 10 Cards Including Ohtani in English, Japanese
Avatar

About Anson Whaley

Anson Whaley is a contributor to Sports Collectors Daily and has been an avid pre-war and vintage card collector for more than 20 years. He manages a pre-war sports card blog and database at www.prewarcards.com . You can email him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter @PreWarCards.

Filed Under: Modern Sports Card News Tagged With: 2018 Bowman baseball, 2018 Bowman Chrome baseball, 2018 Bowman Megabox, 2018 rookie cards, Shohei Ohtani

Our articles may contain affiliate links. When you click one and make a purchase, we receive a commission.  The revenue is what helps keep SC Daily afloat!

What\
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey

Bargain Corner

  • Michael Jordan Cards Under $5
  • Mickey Mantle Cards Under $100
  • Graded T206 Cards Under $75
  • Pre-1980 Graded Baseball Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1985 Graded Football Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1980 Graded Basketball Cards Under $10
  • Pre-1990 Graded Hockey Cards $5 and Less
  • Complete Sets Under $10 with Free Shipping
  • Baseball Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Football Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Hobby Boxes Under $30
  • Pre-1986 Rookie Cards Under $1

RSS Auction Report

  • Steve Novella Offers PSA Graded Football and Basketball Ending January 26, 2021
  • CertifiedLink: Bid on Rookie Cards: Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Jordan, Gretzky, Mahomes & More! Ends Feb. 8th
  • Kobe Bryant Custom-Built Car on Goldin Auctions Block


Categories

  • Around the Hobby
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • David Cycleback's Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Editor's Blog
  • Hobby Shop Talk
  • National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Popular Stories
  • Rich Klein's Ramblings
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Sports Memorabilia News

Sponsor Links

  • Sports Card Forum
  • Buying Vintage Sports Cards
  • Game Used Jerseys
  • 1952 Topps Baseball
  • Championship Rings For Sale
  • Vintage Basketball Cards
  • NBA Signed Items
  • Signed Sports Memorabilia
  • UFC Memorabilia
  • Autographed Baseballs
  • NASCAR Autographs
  • Vintage Graded Baseball Cards
  • Player Pictures
  • Vintage Football Cards
  • Sports Card Boxes
  • Sports Collectors Store

Pages

  • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
  • 100 Hottest UFC Trading Cards
  • 100 Most Watched Golf Trading Cards on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Graded Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Wrestling Trading Cards on eBay
  • 20 Hottest Barry Sanders Football Cards
  • 2016 Cubs Replica Championship Rings Don’t Cost a Fortune
  • 2017 Topps Definitive Collection Box Breaks, Most Watched
  • 2019 Toronto Raptors NBA Championship Memorabilia Guide
  • 2019 US Women’s World Cup Apparel, Merchandise, Memorabilia Guide
  • 50 Hottest Baseball Hobby Boxes at Auction on eBay
  • 50 Hottest Kareem Hunt Rookie Cards
  • 50 Most Watched Kevin Durant Auctions on eBay
  • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
  • 8 Types of Kobe Bryant Collectibles to Remember Him By
  • Aaron Judge Game Used Memorabilia Inventory Growing
  • About Us/Contact/Advertise
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
  • Affordable Vintage Sports Cards and Collectibles
  • Barnebys Sports Memorabilia Auctions
  • Baseball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Basketball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Best Derek Jeter Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Best Display Cabinets for Sports Memorabilia
  • Best Joey Votto Rookie Cards
  • Best Pascal Siakam Rookie Cards
  • Chiefs Super Bowl Champs Memorabilia Hits the Market
  • Current Most Watched Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Dale Murphy Rookie Card Remains Popular, Affordable
  • Eagles Super Bowl Champions Memorabilia Guide
  • Fanatics Under Wraps 2017 Next Level Edition Autographed Baseballs
  • Football Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Frank Gore Rookie Cards Get No Respect
  • Gardner Minshew Rookie Cards Heat Up as Fun-Loving Rookie Shows His Ability
  • Great Gifts for Cubs Fans
  • Guide to 2018-19 Clemson Tigers National Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to Houston Astros Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to LSU National Championship Merchandise, Memorabilia
  • Guide to Nationals World Series Champs Memorabilia, Merchandise
  • Guide to St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Champions Merchandise, Memorabilia
  • Guide to Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Memorabilia
  • Hank Aaron Cards on eBay
  • Henrik Lundqvist Rookie Cards a Strong Long-Term Play
  • Hockey Card Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Hottest 2019 Baseball Rookie Cards
  • Hottest 2019 NFL Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Chicago Bulls Memorabilia Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest Devin Booker Rookie Cards as Suns Star Piles Up Points
  • Hottest Kyle Lewis Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Lonzo Ball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini National Treasures Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini World Cup Stickers on eBay
  • Hottest Pokémon Card Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest PSA 10 Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Hottest Topps Living Set Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest Topps NOW Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Xander Bogaerts Rookie Cards
  • LeBron James Lakers Jerseys Already Available
  • Links
  • Mickey Mantle Cards on eBay
  • Most Popular Bobbleheads on eBay
  • Most Popular Mark McGwire Rookie Card Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched 1/1 Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Basketball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Complete Baseball Card Sets at Auction on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
  • Most Watched Goudey Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Hockey Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Kobe Bryant Basketball Card Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched Racing Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Soccer Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Autographs on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Jerseys on eBay
  • Most Watched Topps Project 2020 Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Most Watched Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay
  • Nick Bosa Rookie Cards Getting Collectors’ Attention
  • Patriots Super Bowl 51 Champions Merchandise
  • Ryne Sandberg Rookie Cards, Minor League Issues Still Collector Favorites
  • Selling Sports Cards on eBay for Cash
  • Sports Memorabilia Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Test
  • The 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Bryant Auto Saga: A Timeline
  • Tony Gwynn Rookie Cards Recall “The Best Hitter Since Ted”
  • Top 100 Most Watched Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Card Auctions
  • Top Authenticated Vintage Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Top Selling Patriots Super Bowl Championship Items
  • Upper Deck Authenticated Autographs Remain Popular, Accessible
  • Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay Ending Soon
  • Wade Boggs Rookie Cards Still a Collector Favorite
  • What’s Hot on eBay
  • What’s It Worth
  • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Where to Buy the Anthony Fauci Topps Baseball Card
  • Write About Your Sports Collection
  • Write for Sports Collectors Daily

Copyright © 2021 SportsCollectorsDaily.com | Genesis Web Design by Wickam Group