Buzz Break: 2023 Topps Holiday baseball cards

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: 2023 Topps Holiday baseball cards
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 99
Base set completion: 
90 of 200 (45 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Spencer Strider, Julio Rodriguez, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Matt Olson, Pete Alonso, Joey Votto, Manny Machado, Kyle Schwarber, Jeremy Pena, Shane Bieber, Dansby Swanson

RC logo cards (37) – Notables include Anthony Volpe, Michael Harris, Triston Casas, Christopher Morel, Esteury Ruiz, Kodai Senga, Nolan Gorman, Joey Meneses, Vaughn Grissom, Matt McLain, Francisco Alvarez

Insert cards: 8 (all in gallery below with some base)
Metallic parallels (5) – Mike Trout, Ketel Marte, D.L. Hall, Francisco Lindor, J.P. Sears
Ornament card (1) – Jose Ramirez
Variations (1) – Rafael Devers (Santa hat)
Rare Variations (1) – Bryce Harper (sleeves and lights necklace)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Relics (1) – Ronald Acuña Jr.

What's Buzz-worthy: This wasn't a perfect box but it was a strong one -- and perhaps the best MLB retail rip of the year I have had because this is a format that is safe, isn't a $50 box and can deliver well with some luck. This time? Just some key names in key spots and some other notables among the basics. Why does this work? A hit in every box (autos and Relics are hits, nothing else), a variation chase card or two in every box (two this time) and then parallels every time, too, that help make this a safe break with potential atop a checklist with a heavy concentration of stars and rookies. Atop that, there are some new things worked into the lineup, too, with a second layer of parallels. All of those parallels can add value even more with the right rookies found in those slots being the kinds that can pay for all or at least a chunk of the $30 box price (up $5 from a year ago) for this one. Also good? A small set size ... and that price also is in play in my grading -- there are a lot of boxes with higher SRPs that simply don't deliver as well as this one does. Are you going to land a home run of a hit every time? No, but at least you get one -- an autograph or a Relic -- in every box and this is at a price many people can rip it without worries. ... There should be more releases like this one where there's simplicity and more with some safety (a hit) in every box without breaking the bank. Over time, the simple stuff found here -- as well as the long-odds finds -- might out-perform a lot of the bigger stuff with bigger initial price tags that are perhaps printed in bigger volume in the cardboard world we're living in now. Grading should be considered here, too, with the clean results and all those good names flowing regularly -- this would be interesting to rip by the case. A lot of that was exactly what I said about this one this year ... but this one remained strong while a lot of retail boxes from all companies seemed to run leaner this year. This one will be a repeat rip for me when it presents itself. Why? It's safe and still has the potential to deliver some strong possibilities ... and it's also a pretty simple product overall -- that's something some products could emulate and improve.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: A (for the price, it's low-risk with a good mix)

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