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 – Hank Aaron, Don Drysdale, Ivan Rodriguez, Warren Spahn, Richie Ashburn, Larry Walker, John Smoltz, Reggie Jackson, Yadier Molina, Lou Boudreau, Roger Maris

Rookie Cards (3) – Humberto Mejia, Tejay Antone, Carlos Hernandez

Insert/short-print cards: 8 (all in gallery below with some base)
Refractors (2) – Bryce Harper, Johnny Damon
Prism Refractors (3) – Early Wynn, Mike Cameron, Scott Kingery
Blue Prism Refractors (1) – Jake Woodford
Aqua Wave Refractors (1) – Albert Pujols
Blue Mini-Diamonds Refractors (1) – Joey Wendle (/199)

Autographs: None

What's Buzz-worthy: My final of five boxes here at a bargain price (a slashed price well below half price this time) delivered well with one Hall of Famer's base card that I've wanted to find centered -- this one is close -- along with several other notables among the base and then three good names among the parallels. This one also had a pair of cards that shouldn't be expected in every box with the Aqua one in 43 and then the Blue one in 29. ... As I noted before, 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 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. I'd rip hobby at its present price for guaranteed ink or the other format that has some unique looks only found there. Once those dry up, I'd dabble here.

Product Grade: A- (nice twist on a classic ... and a challenge if one wants to collect it all)
Box Grade: A- (good names in some spots and a couple of rarer cards here)
Fun Grade: B

--

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

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com