Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (mega)

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: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition baseball cards (mega)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby/LITE)
First Buzz preview with checklist: Click here

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

Packs per box: 9
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 36
Base set completion: 
28 of 700 (4 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Tony Perez, Eddie Murray, Roberto Alomar, Yogi Berra, Austin Riley, Brando Nimmo, Max Fried, Roger Clemens, Todd Helton, Darryl Strawberry, Sammy Sosa, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte

Rookie Cards (5) – Casey Mize, Ryan Jeffers, Ashton Goudeau, Jonathan Stiever, Taylor Widener

Insert/short-print cards: 7 (all in gallery below with some base)
Refractors (2) – Ralph Kiner, Tino Martinez
Prism Refractors (3) – Jeimer Candelario, Eduardo Escobar, Mitch Moreland
Blue Prism Refractors (1) – George Kell
Red Atomic Refractors (1) – Christian Vazquez (/100)

Autographs: 1
Autographs (1) – Rod Carew

What's Buzz-worthy: Does one card make a box? In this case I think so, and that's thanks to the presence of Hall of Famer ink via Rod Carew. The odds? One in 57 packs (eight boxes) for this format. The Red parallel is also one in 57 to make this a strong box twice-over. All other finds were right with the odds, which make these boxes not bad options if you find them on the cheap. (I did ... on sale with a discount, too, so I grabbed five. Expect to see more of this one here in the coming weeks. Would I do these at regular price? Nah, I'd buy hobby which has guaranteed ink. Rip these after the hobby boxes dry up.) ... This release is a landmark one in that it's a massive 700-card Chrome checklist -- likely the biggest Chrome set ever made -- and it's one that meshes plenty of Heritage vibes as it includes stars from the past and present on a modern re-do of the iconic 1952 Topps set but on a modern finish. The main chase elements here are parallels -- a meaty lineup was initially announced but with its delays there are fewer in hobby packs, though other formats exclusives -- and then autographs. The Prism parallels are only found here and there are also Prism Golds to be had among several parallels found here. (I landed a few in my run.) ... The parallels here are nice and should draw people in -- and if you want any one player on a parallel be sure to multiply those odds by 700 to figure your chance on your guy's one particular card. ... The lone chase card beyond ink and parallels is a re-do on the 1952 Mickey Mantle -- that one is one in 11,416 packs in hobby but easier here at one in 8,046. So ... they made a lot of this one -- but that's a good thing if you're a collector wanting to rip something with long-ball potential.

Product Grade: A- (nice twist on a classic ... and a challenge if one wants to collect it all)
Box Grade: A+ (ink and a rare parallel)
Fun Grade: A- (good box this time ... not all like this one)

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