Buzz Break: 2018 SportKings Volume 1 (blaster box)

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 SportKings Volume 1 sports cards
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard, one hit pack)
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 36
Base set completion: 
27 of 48 (56 percent)
Duplicates: 1

Base cards – Walter Payton, Steve Largent, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Rick Barry, Enos Slaughter, Tom Condon, Jim Thorpe, Jim Palmer, Lori Harrigan, Fred Couples, Bodacious, Allysa Seely, Warren Moon, Hakeem Olajuwon, Harry Carson, Shani Davis, Ferguson Jenkins, Don Drysdale, Chris Mazdzer, Julie Krone, Phil Mahre, Jim Kelly, Micky Ward, Howie Long, Nate Thurmond, Tiki Barber, Brian Trottier

Insert cards: 7 (all in gallery below with some base)
Mini (7) – Joe Louis, Chis Mazdzer, Ty Cobb, Abby Wombach, Jim Palmer, Ross Barnes, Harry Carson

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Single Memorabilia (1) – Enos Slaughter

What's Buzz-worthy: This collector was surprised to hear that SportKings was making a comeback -- this time via SAGE -- but an even more interesting surprise was that it was coming to retail in a blaster-box format with a hit every time. While the hobby boxes are loaded with autographs and memorabilia with the base cards and mini parallels in the minority, these blasters flip things back more traditionally with the base cards leading the way here with a mini in every pack. The hit gets its own pack in these boxes with most probably being memorabilia cards, though autographs, buybacks and other cards are possible in these boxes. This particular box probably looks closer to average -- it might be -- but a baseball Hall of Famer as the hit might be a tad stronger than some memorabilia cards in this one, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. The hobby boxes are where some big-chase potential will be realized more easily but these offer an affordable way to chase the set and its parallels without breaking the bank.This retail version feels just like SportKings cards from the recent past, while hobby boxes will include some ink back color parallels. The fun part of this one is the unusual lineup you'll find here and a number of the autographs and memorabilia cards may not have any others similar to it, which helps the value in some instances. With a guaranteed hit and variations to chase for Walter Payton and Ty Cobb on both minis and base cards in retail, there is a bit to be found here. The small set means you can build it easily, especially by ripping into these boxes.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B+

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