Buzz Break: Two 2012 Topps baseball value boxes

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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 boxes: 2012 Topps baseball value boxes
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8 (Two Topps Heritage hobby, five Topps retail, one Refractor/Golden Giveaway pack)
Cards per pack: 8 per Topps, 9 per Heritage, 1 in Refractor
Cards per box: 59

BOX 1

Topps Base set completion: 
32 of 330 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Heritage Base set completion: 
16 of 425 (4 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable pulled on Topps base cards: Troy Tulowitzki, Jesus Montero, Wilin Rosario, Jose Bautista, Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, AL home run leaders, St. Louis Cardinals win World Series
Notable pulled on Topps Heritage base cards: Matt Kemp, Devin Mesoraco (RC), Star Receivers, Bronx Bombers Best

Insert cards: 11 (all in gallery below with some highlights)
1987 Topps Mini (1) – Brandon Phillips
Golden Moments (1) – Red Schoendienst
Gold Standard (1) – Nolan Ryan
Golden Greats (1) – Sandy Koufax
Gold Futures (1) – Alexi Ogando
Classic Walk-offs (1) – Mickey Mantle
Gold sparkle (2) – Ian Desmond, Drew Storen
Heritage Chrome (1) – Aramis Ramirez (/1,963)
Heritage Chrome Refractors (1) – Max Scherzer (/563)
Value Box Refractors (1) – Mickey Mantle

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: This first box was stacked in the insert lineup and the Heritage packs both delivered Chrome or Chrome Refractor cards meaning these were running hot. The quest for one of those super-pricey Mike Trout first Heritage cards? Well, it didn't happen in this one ...

BOX 2

Topps Base set completion: 
34 of 330 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Heritage Base set completion: 
17 of 425 (4 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable pulled on Topps base cards: Craig Kimbrel, Mariano Rivera, Dellin Betances, Tim Hudson, Chris Sale, Eric Hosmer, David Wright
Notable pulled on Topps Heritage base cards: Don Mattingly, Mike Moustakas, Adrian Beltre, Addison Reed. J.D. Martinez ... and ... Mike Trout

Insert cards: 9 (all in gallery below with some highlights)
Heritage short-prints (Nos. 426-500) (1) – Jimmy Rollins
1987 Topps Mini (1) – David Price
Golden Moments (1) – Roy Halladay
Gold Standard (1) – Mickey Mantle
Golden Greats (1) – Albert Pujols
Timeless Talents (1) – Luis Aparicio & Starlin Castro
Gold sparkle (2) – Ian Desmond, Drew Storen
Value Box Refractors (1) – Mickey Mantle

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: This box started off as a snoozer and almost became an "oh well" until the end of the second Heritage pack I opened from this one delivered the big fish. It's a little off-centered but otherwise pretty clean. I was shocked but this not short-printed card is the reason to rip right now as it's commanding some serious cash for a standard card that's not a Rookie Card. Finding reasonably priced hobby boxes of this one is getting harder thanks to the recent surge of demand for this card and it's not like they were plentiful before. Even retail boxes are getting tougher -- Heritage is a popular brand no matter the year -- and these special retail creations are (thankfully) stocked with hobby packs of Heritage. You only get two packs per box but everything is in play here -- even autographs as lofty as Hank Aaron. (Buzz pulled him back in the day so this year of Heritage remains a highlight for me.)

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A+ on both boxes (for different reasons)
Fun Grade: B+ (Wish there was more Heritage, less flagship.)

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