Buzz Break: 2019 Panini Diamond Kings (FOTL hobby 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: 2019 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards (FOTL hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 12
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 96
Base set completion: 
74 of 100 (74 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Satchel Paige, Christy Mathewson, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Aaron Judge, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Jackie Robinson, Miguel Andujar, Vladimir Guerrero, Ichiro Suzuki, Nolan Ryan, Pee Wee Reese, Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve, Ozzie Albies, Rhys Hoskins, Juan Soto, Tris Speaker, Andrew Benintendi, Johnny Bench, Max Scherzer, Mookie Betts, Jimmie Foxx, Carl Hubbell, Tony Gwynn, Mel Ott, Roberto Clemente, Honus Wagner

Rookie Cards (23) – Ramon Laureano, Kevin Kramer, Kevin Newman, Enyel De Los Santos, Dakota Hudson, David Fletcher, Cedric Mullins, Garrett Hampson, Brandon Lowe, Christin Stewart, Jonathan Loaisiga, Bryse Wilson, Justus Sheffield, Brad Keller, Jake Bauers, Kolby Allard, Jonathan Davis, Kyle Wright, Sean Reid-Foley, Josh James, Jeff McNeil, Luis Urias, Michael Kopech (no logo)

Insert/short-print cards: 20 (all inserts/short-prints and some base in gallery below)
Short-prints (Nos. 101-150) (1) – Nolan Arenado
Short-prints Artist Proof (Nos. 101-150) (1) – Danny Jansen (RC)
Variations (1) – Rickey Henderson (gray back borders instead of brown)
Plum Frame parallel (1) – Brad Keller (RC)
Plum Frame short-prints parallel (1) – J.T. Realmuto
2002 DK Retro Plum Frame (1) – Giancarlo Stanton
2004 DK Retro (2) – Adrian Beltre, Francisco Lindor
DK Flashbacks (2) – Nolan Ryan, Chipper Jones
1919 Diamond Kings (2) – Babe Ruth, Bob Shawkey
Portraits (2) – Mookie Betts, Jose Ramirez
The 300 (2) – Roger Clemens, Early Wynn
Heirs To The Throne (2) – Shohei Ohtani & Ichiro Suzuki, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. & Vladimir Guerrero
Gallery of Stars (1) – Mike Trout
DK205 (1) – Mike Trout

Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Diamond Cuts Purple (1) – Joe Dugan (/3)
DK Materials Purple (1) – Joe Cronin (/5)

What's Buzz-worthy: This was my first time getting -- and ripping -- a FOTL box and I have to say that this one delivered pretty well with both of my Purple hits being among the rarest possible. My Pair of Joes includes a Hall of Famer and a member of the 1927 New York Yankees ... so I definitely could have done worse. The base set feels crisper than recent releases, though it's still really busy, and it's absolutely loaded with legends of the game and stars of today. It seems the variations have been trimmed down some -- at least based on this one box that had just one variation and a pair of short-prints that were flipped over in the pack. The inserts flow well here and they are a mix of big names from the past and present on some re-dos of recent designs and some DK takes on cards that never were in the distant past. Some work better than others but together it feels like a good mix. It's interesting that serial-numbering doesn't really exist here save for the hits and the rarest stuff. This isn't an old-timer's brand as you will also see modern hits in the mix -- this one just ran rare and old ... and that works for me. Look for another one of these here soon ... I liked my first box enough I ripped my second one, too.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A+
Fun Grade: A

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

>> Click here to buy baseball cards on BlowoutCards.com