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 ...

SHINE LIKE MINI-DIAMONDS ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition Rose Gold Mini-Diamond Refractors (/75)
The Reason Graded: Generally, I only do Chrome stuff in any kind of volume when it gets cheap -- and in this case they were as I found a run of mega boxes of this one priced less than blasters and that got me to bite. (They're all Buzz Breaks so go check the archives.) One of my better finds in those boxes was this card, which is a super-sparkly take on the 1952 Topps design that, in my mind, does work while a lot of the basic Chrome takes found in this set just don't. (There were a lot of quality control issues with this release.) In this case, since it's a top name, a rare card and a crisp and cleanly centered copy I put it into a bulk sub. Why? I like it and the player ... and I felt like it had some good potential.
The Grade: CSG 9.5

Reality Check: It's the lowest of two copies graded by CSG (now CGC) with the other one checking in where I had hoped to be. No biggie ... I like this card no matter what and all of his stuff -- Rookie Cards, hits and rarities -- should be getting looks as he could become baseball's newest 40-40 Club member -- and might even push higher if he gets really hot with the bat in the second half. With him you never know.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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Take a minute and make some predictions and picks ... and if you're right you might have some free cards coming your way.

It's that simple.

YourDozen.com competition returns with free cardboard up for grabs to one lucky winner -- this time it's a mix of picks for Saturday action and hot-take questions for some names in the headlines.

Majority Rules questions are simple -- whatever gets the most votes is the winning answer -- and we've sprinkled in those along with the traditional picks. The end result is still the same -- whomever has the most correct answers once the dust settles wins free cards.

You have until 7 p.m. on Saturday to get your picks and predictions in. (Do it now -- one of the tiebreakers is who entered first.) The prize is once again a mystery item.

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<< 

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

How does it work? It's short and simple. Register and you'll get a dozen questions where your answers will be compiled and compared to others. Whomever gets the most correct gets the prize -- or at least a shot at it if there's a tie.

The goal with YourDozen.com? Have a little fun and get free stuff into some of your hands.

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

What: 2022-23 Topps Finest Bundesliga soccer cards
Arrives: Aug. TBD
Box basics: Two autos per 12-pack box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Bundesliga's Finest run is back for a third campaign with the familiar mini-box format that includes an autograph each time and plenty of colorful parallels and other highlights.

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

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What: 2022-23 Topps Merlin Chrome soccer cards
Arrives: Aug. 16
Box basics: One autograph per 18-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Merlin gets another run on the pitch with a third edition in this popular line that has nods to the past cards and stickers under the mystical name while showcasing stars from UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

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

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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: MLB trade deadline deals, missing hits, Topps Chrome, Elly De La Cruz, a thread worth a look and following up on The National.

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Via @Leaf_Cards ... @leafceo⁩ with Leaf exclusive athlete Angel Reese. An amazing day and we celebrated it with her fans.

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The final day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is upon us in Chicago and Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com, should be one of your first stops before the show closes.

How big has it been? This year's show has set the all-time attendance record, breaking the mark set in 1991, according to show officials. More than 100,000 people attended the show this year.

But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here until the show comes to an end.

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Via @PaniniAmerica ... Crazy in the Panini booth @nsccshow right now with ? @BarrySanders pulling some ? and that dude @aidanhutch97

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The fourth day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is upon us in Chicago and Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com, should be one of your first stops at the show between now and show close tomorrow.

But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here as the show goes on today.

Continue reading →

Via @roroweber1 ... My 12 year old @ChanceWeber727 just opened his 1st box at @nsccshow which he purchased from @blowoutcards. Check out what he pulled -- a Brock Lesnar 1/1. Thanks Blowout for selling him the box. 

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The third day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is upon us in Chicago and Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com, should be one of your first stops at the show between now and Sunday.

But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here as the show goes on today.

Continue reading →

Via @Leaf_Cards ... HE DID IT AGAIN

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The first full day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is upon us today in Chicago and Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com, should be one of your first stops at the show between now and Sunday.

But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here as the show goes on today.

Continue reading →

Early view of booth No. 743 ... your home of high-end and wrapper redemption boxes at the show.

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The show of all shows is almost here.

The first day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention opens to the public later today in Chicago and Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com, should be one of your first stops at the show between today and Sunday.

But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here as the show goes on today.

Continue reading →

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Update: The auction ended at $102,500 after 36 bids on Saturday night.

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The newest chapter in the story of an iconic football family has a new home and a new card.

Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning -- the grandson of NFL QB  Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning -- has signed an NIL deal with Panini America, which was revealed on Tuesday along with his debut card, which is up for auction right now.

"Manning’s multi-year alliance with Panini America represents his only NIL agreement to date and includes exclusive autographed trading cards," read a formal reveal from the company.

Keep reading for the details as they stand now ... and for the auction link.

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The National is a week away and here are just some of the basics like hours, pack promo details and some on-site grading all in one spot. (A different approach since a lot of info has been released later than normal this year.)

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Keep reading to see 'em all ...

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What: 2023 Donruss FIFA Women's World Cup soccer cards
Arrives: Aug. 30
Box basics: Autographs in every other six-pack blaster (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Women's soccer fans get a release for the World Cup with ink found in every other blaster but with plenty of other potential finds in a smaller-sized box.

Keep reading for more and 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: 2022 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was found in this one.

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What: 2023 Leaf Autographed Football Jersey Edition
Arrives: September
Box basics: One autographed custom jersey per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: A new football season will include a new batch of Leaf signed football jerseys to collectors via a blind-box release that includes players from the past and present.

Keep reading for more.

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Take a minute and make some predictions and picks ... and if you're right you might have some free cards coming your way.

It's that simple.

YourDozen.com competition returns with free cardboard up for grabs to one lucky winner -- this time it's a mix of picks for Sunday MLB action and hot-take questions for collecting and some names of note.

Majority Rules questions are simple -- whatever gets the most votes is the winning answer -- and we've sprinkled in those along with the traditional picks. The end result is still the same -- whomever has the most correct answers once the dust settles wins free cards.

You have until noon on Sunday to get your picks and predictions in. (Do it now -- one of the tiebreakers is who entered first.) The prize this time is a mystery item.

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<< 

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

How does it work? It's short and simple. Register and you'll get a dozen questions where your answers will be compiled and compared to others. Whomever gets the most correct gets the prize -- or at least a shot at it if there's a tie.

The goal with YourDozen.com? Have a little fun and get free stuff into some of your hands.

--

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

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: The National, next year's Hall of Fame ballot, Mickey Moniak, new-release thoughts, NFL chatter and ... TacoFractors!

Continue reading →

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: The National, MLB Breaks, Chrome thoughts, NFL and women's soccer chatter and ... "If Shohei Ohtani is traded to the NL, does he win the AL MVP?"

Continue reading →

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: Lionel Messi, The National, MLB chatter and pulls, new finds and more in today's edition.

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Panini Prizm WNBA basketball cards
Arrives: Aug. 30
Box basics: Two autographs per 12-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: WNBA fans get Prizm for a fourth time with a familiar lineup of colorful inclusions and a mix of past and present stars all in one spot.

Keep reading for more info and a gallery of what's to come.

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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: 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Continue reading →

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: A big Flawless surprise, The National, bad quality control, Elly De La Cruz, Garbage Pail Kids and ... TacoFractors! 

Continue reading →

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 lot: 1990 Bowman baseball cards (two packs)
Where to buy: Check junk bins ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer MLB cards

Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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Another of The National's side events this year has been revealed -- and it's coming via Onyx Authenticated.

On the Thursday night of the show (July 27), the company and its VIP ticket holders will take over the Dave & Busters in Rosemont, Ill., for a three-hour Onyx Authenticated VIP Party with guests including seven notable college football and baseball stars who are Heisman Trophy and No. 1 draft pick candidates in the coming years.

Tickets are $599 and can be found here for a limited time. Keep reading for a rundown of what each VIP attendee will receive.

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What: 2023 Panini Prizm Draft Picks football cards
Arrives: Aug. 30
Box basics: Four autographs per four-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: After last year's version was canceled, Panini revisits Prizm Draft once again with new college stars and past greats in their school colors, an autograph in every pack and some other inclusions that fans of the brand have come to expect.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery.

Continue reading →