From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The packs: 1990 Leaf Series 1 baseball cards
The cost: Super-cheap (from a mixed bulk lot) -- see our Bargain Breaks section here

What's inside these? Keep reading ...

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there are a dozen weird, cheap or interesting cards.

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BEFORE THE NBA CAREER ... 
The Card: LeBron James 2003 Sports Illustrated For Kids #264 (BGS 9)
The Price: $11
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There was a time when this was a popular card in the hobby -- maybe not Tiger Woods SI For Kids big, but popular. What is it? It's a card pulled from a perforated sheet in an issue of the kids' magazine, something it has done since the 1980s, showcasing countless big-name athletes and many others who don't have much -- or any -- cardboard. Everybody knows how much hype there was for James back then -- and his first cardboard from SAGE was huge -- but this one was one of only a few options until his NBA cardboard arrival on Rookie Cards (and plenty more) on 2003-04 releases. Ultimately all those early cards don't command as much interest as NBA stuff, but I liked the look and price on this one for a slab -- especially when you consider higher-graded cards can push $50-100 and 10s can be quite big at auction even today ... at least for a card found in a magazine.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... click here for NBA boxes

Keep reading for five more interesting items ...

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Austin Meadows, The National, grading discussions, Game of Thrones breaks, big pulls and collecting musician autographs.

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 From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Topps Holiday Box baseball cards
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 98
Base set completion: 
92 of 200 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mike Trout, Carlos Correa, Chris Sale, Mookie Betts, Max Scherzer, Aaron Judge, Manny Machado, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, Nolan Arenado, Joey Votto, Paul Goldschmidt, Jacob deGrom, Buster Posey, Francisco Lindor, Yu Darvish, Javier Baez, Ichiro Suzuki, Bryce Harper

Rookie Cards (16) – Shohei Ohtani, Ozzie Albies, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Christian Villanueva, Scott Kingery, Nick Williams, Mike Soroka, Nick Kingham, J.P. Crawford, Jordan Hicks, Tyler O'Neill, Dominic Smith, Dustin Fowler, Francisco Mejia, Garrett Cooper

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What: 2019 Super Break One-time Ink'd Autograph Edition
Arrives: July 5
Box basics: One autographed buyback card per box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Super Break focuses on nothing but autographed cards for a new buyback product with ink from around the collecting world all in one place.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: PSA addresses card-trimming allegations, big NBA and MLB pulls, the end of a player collection, The National and more.

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Panini America's Father's Day promo packs will hit participating hobby shops beginning next week.

Set to begin on June 14, the packs will include a number of young stars in college and pro uniforms as well as a number of serial-numbered rarer inclusions as well as hits. The packs are bonuses for those who purchase certain products during a weekend visit to the shop.

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Father's Day is coming ... and we want one of you out there to have a big-ripping day.

How? We've doubled this week's YourDozen.com prize to $400 in Blowout Cards store credit -- all you have to do is correctly pick what will happen with this week's sports events better than everybody else.

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<<

If you didn't know already, YourDozen.com is Blowout's hot spot for your shot at free stuff -- store credit, boxes, memorabilia and other prizes -- and it's in its 19th week.

Did you get in on last week's event? Check the leaderboard and contact fish@blowoutcards.com to claim your prize if you're the winner.

How does it work? Keep reading ...

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away is now found on one more type of cardboard.

As it teased yesterday, Topps revealed the Topps Star Wars Living Set which will spotlight memorable characters on new artwork using the original design frame from when it all began for the franchise on cards.

The first card in the series? One of cinema's ultimate villains, Darth Vader, with artwork from artist Kris Penix.

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What: 2019 Topps High Tek baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 9 Nov. 13
Box basics: Three on-card autographs per 18-card box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Topps High Tek returns for another dazzling season with much smaller packs but more ink per box than last year -- and plenty of the complicated patterns for players if you want to collect 'em all.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2017 Donruss Optic football cards (Special Edition blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 24
Base set completion: 
11 of 100 (11 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Todd Gurley II, Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees, Joey Bosa, Carson Wentz, Blake Bortles, Jerrell Freeman, Marvin Jones Jr., Jay Ajayi, Travis Kelce, Terrelle Pryor Sr.

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What:

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's got something ready just after the MLB Draft -- a release with nothing but autograph cards for draft-eligible players where every card inside is limited to no more than two copies.

Keep reading for more and a gallery of images.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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DOMINATING BAT, SOFT DEMAND?
The Item: Austin Riley 2015 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Cyan printing plate (1/1)
The Price: $1,800 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The Atlanta Braves have a rich history of homegrown players dominating on the big stage and a crop of young players on the team now who are seemingly capable of big things on the field and selling cardboard. The latest new arrival -- a guy who has already set a team home run record -- has had a scorching start in terms of the longball and yet he's seemingly a little soft price-wise when it comes to the high-grade first Chrome parallel auto front. (See that link below.) They aren't cheap, but the prices don't compare to other notables in recent years who have arrived and played well. This particular example isn't the cheapest but it is a unique one.
Similar Pieces: Austin Riley autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2015 Bowman Draft boxes 

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Good baseball discussions, Bowman Mega Boxes deliver big, The National and old "Refractors won't spoil."

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2019 Donruss baseball cards (Target Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 14
Cards per pack: 8
Cards per box: 112
Set completion: 
35 of 150 (23 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Stephen Strasburg, Joey Votto, Rafael Devers, Justin Verlander, Javier Baez, Trevor Story, Manny Machado, Matt Chapman, Christian Yelich, Michael Conforto

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You have opinions and Topps wants to hear them -- specifically about the best Topps MLB designs of the past.

Topps Choice is a new program where collectors can vote on their favorites and find them once again in packs of 2020 Topps Series 1. 

One vote for the best set from each decade -- beginning with the 1950s -- are the first Choice.

Make your picks right here.

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com

Make your picks with a click ... and free stuff could be yours. That's YourDozen.com in a nutshell, and up this week are a dozen questions for this weekend's varying schedule of sports action.

Blowout Cards' hot spot for your shot at free stuff -- store credit, boxes, memorabilia and other prizes -- is in its 19th week and the prize once again is $200 in Blowout store credit.

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<<

Did you get in on last week's event? Check the leaderboard and contact fish@blowoutcards.com to claim your prize if you're the winner.

How does it work? Keep reading ...

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays — Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Baseball America’s highlight line: “In 108 minor league games, only one pitcher has managed to strike him out more than once. ... He has not struck out swinging since May 20, and has not struck out at all since May 24. ... Through June 2, Franco is hitting .326 in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old. Two years ago, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old, he hit … .326."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2019 Bowman 
One auto to consider: 2018 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: The bad news here? If you don't know his name, you're late to the party and that will cost you way more buying his autos. The good news here? First, he's being compared to Vladdy Jr., and second he's got plenty of ink -- about half of his cards come with autos -- and there are inevitably more on the way. Simple as that. Pulling his autos are the best way to go as buy-in prices for his first Chrome ink can be on the stupid side ... well, only if he doesn't deliver. (So far, he has.)

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Fanatics' continued growth in the sports memorabilia market has a new chapter.

The Jacksonville, Fla-based company has acquired the assets of Steiner Sports, according to a tweet via veteran sports business reporter Darren Rovell. 

Steiner's deals include game-used memorabilia for the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knocks, New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Bowman Mega Box bulk breaks, bargain bin heat, big Heritage pulls, The National and more in today's edition.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: Hot Corner Box baseball card repack (The Fairfield Company)
Where to buy: Target (Click here for our Bargain Breaks section)

Packs per box: One hobby pack, three retail packs and two hits per box
Cards per pack: Varies by brand

Notables on base cards – See gallery for key pulls

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Donruss Optic NFL cards (Target Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby and FOTL)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 40
Base set completion: 21 of 100 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards: Derek Carr, Christian McCaffrey, Adam Thielen, Amari Cooper, A.J. Green, Kenyan Drake

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Topps Definitive pulls, grading Bowman Mega Box players, MLB breaks, The National and even more important chatter today.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2019 Bowman baseball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 6 (four standard, two Mega Box Chrome)
Cards per pack: 10 in standard, 5 in Chrome
Cards per box: 50

Set completion: 
20 of 100 (20 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Prospect set completion: 
12 of 150 (8 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Chrome Prospect set completion: 
8 of 150 (5 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base/prospect cards – Fernando Tatis Jr., Nick Senzel, Austin Riley, Dylan Cease, Roberto Ramos, Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts, Ozzie Albies, Francisco Lindor

Rookie Cards (9) – Ramon Laureano, Ryan Borucki, Bryse Wilson, Aramis Garcia, Enyel De Los Santos, Jonathan Loaisiga, Cedtic Mullins, Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... a super-sized edition this time around that's heavy on MLB and NBA but with a few surprises.

The Cards: 1991-92 SkyBox #544-546 Team USA puzzle
The Reason Graded: I picked up a box of this one for roughly $16 late last year (a bargain price) and pulled two sets of these puzzles, which was good. Why? Because grading these and the other notables from the iconic Hall of Famer-loaded Dream Team is pretty heavy and this one has been on my to-do list. I landed most of the notables more than once but just one Jordan that was noticeably off-centered. These glossed cards on the puzzle could have issues that the standard cards don't have simply because of their surfaces, but mine were clean. I will revisit my second set to see if anything stands out. I may go the PSA route on the other set for variety's sake if I see anything that would make me wonder about potential grades.
The Grades: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: This one was a stressful one as I had hoped for matching grades. Thankfully, that's what I got and that's where most cards land for all three pieces of the puzzle. This is a textbook example of the kind of cardboard that can make you some money with grading, too, as they're no more than $10 total raw, while BGS 9.5s together should top $100 in some cases and asking prices for the middle (Jordan) card alone can be steep. It's memorable cardboard from the past with nothing but iconic players involved, so there's still good demand -- and that's another reason why I slabbed. Wax boxes aren't all that plentiful, either, compared to other boxes around that time.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

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