The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: National hauls, chasing Michael Jordan rarities, retail wowsers, Pop Century rips & more.

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A fully licensed newcomer to the baseball diamond this year is one that meshes both sports collecting and coin collecting in a new way -- all reflecting those in on the action with a shine that can't be seen when they are on the field.

It's still a rookie, but the demand for 2018 Baseball Treasure coins is there -- just check eBay.

"We see people from the coin side taking interest. We see people from the sports side taking interest and there are some of those people who do both," said company co-founder John Connor on the floor of the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland last week. "The first one to show up at the aftermarket was Mike Trout and it went for $290 for the silver coin."

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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: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 25 (24 plus box-topper)
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 193
Base set completion: 
130 of 300 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Claire Smith, Aaron Judge, Ichiro Suzuki, Bill James, Phil Coyne, Bryce Harper, Roberto Clemente, Kelsey Plum, Albert Pujols, Christopher McDonald, Biz Markie, Nolan Ryan, Greg Maddux, Mark McGwire, Jackie Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr., Honus Wagner, Sean Evans, Trea Turner, Mike Piazza, Austin Rogers, Tyronn Lue, Barry Larkin, Roger Clemens, Dansby Swanson, Manny Machado, Michael Rapaport, Mariano Rivera, Ryne Sandberg, Andrew Benintendi

Rookie Cards (17) – Shohei Ohtani, Brandon Woodruff (SP), Zack Granite, Willie Calhoun, Brian Anderson, Walker Buehler, Amed Rosario, Clint Frazier, Paul Blackburn, J.P. Crawford, Garrett Cooper, Nicky Delmonico, Jackson Stephens, Lucas Sims, Ryan McMahon, Alex Verdugo, Andrew Stevenson

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Post-National chatter, pondering Wood mini whereabouts, inside VIP Party packs, big pulls and more.

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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: 2018 Topps Chrome baseball cards (mega box)
Where to buy: Click here for jumbo, hobby & blasters

Packs per box: 12 (10 packs plus two X-fractor packs)
Cards per pack: 4 per standard, 5 per X-fractor
Cards in this box: 50
Base set completion: 
31 of 200 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Bregman, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Donaldson, Jon Lester, Andrew McCutchen

Rookie Cards (10) – Scott Kingery, Garrett Cooper, Andrew Stevenson, Francisco Mejia. Chance Sisco, Dominic Smith, J.P. Crawford, Jackson Stephens, Tyler Wade, Tyler Mahle

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Via @joeorlandoPSA ... This might be the coolest story of the #nsccshow so far. While live on the #GA_Collectibles show, Leighton Sheldon opened a PSA-certified 1955 Bowman baseball pack. Inside he found this beauty. It graded a PSA Mint 9. Incredible.

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: National post-show chatter, big pulls and more as Buzz recovers from the NSCC.

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The wrapper redemption programs at the National Sports Collectors Convention are a challenge, a pastime and a must-do for many attendees every year.

But there are drawbacks, too, hence that challenge part. There can be long waits -- depending on how long the lines are and, more importantly, how early you got in them -- and there's the possibility that your line could get cut off before land your treasures.

But the wait can be worth it with the surprises in your packs -- or your boxes you grab to get said packs -- and that's what Buzz opted to try a few times this year. Now up? The Panini America program.

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Remember yesterday when I mentioned finding a little something something while waiting in the Topps redemption line at the National Sports Collectors Convention?

This is that.

The Steiner Auctions booth near Topps is one that was right alongside the redemption line as it wrapped around the booth on my day of working the lines at the show. Steiner had a simple mystery bag that delivered far more than I had expected it would on Thursday. The signage seems simple enough -- and it is -- a Hall of Famer autograph of some type in an envelope for $15.

But why did I say bag?

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Redemption cards aren't fun for anyone -- card-makers, dealers or collectors -- but one of Panini America's key stops at its booth at the National Sports Collectors Convention each year is the one for its redemption trade-in program.

Some collectors will stop by with a stack of redemptions, others just a handful. If they take the time to get in line, they'll all leave with something from a selection of key cards, wax boxes, Black Boxes or in some cases Panini Rewards points if they want them, allowing them to select their own assortment of new stuff.

How does it work? For the last seven years, it's been a tiered system depending on the value of what they have.

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The wrapper redemption programs at the National Sports Collectors Convention are a challenge, a pastime and a must-do for many attendees every year.

But there are drawbacks, too, hence that challenge part. There can be long waits -- depending on how long the lines are and, more importantly, how early you got in them -- and there's the possibility that your line could get cut off before land your treasures.

But the wait can be worth it with the surprises in your packs -- or your boxes you grab to get said packs -- and that's what Buzz opted to try a few times this year. First up? The Topps program.

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In the hours before the official show opening, there had been a green tarp covering that section of the booth, but at the opening bell Blowout owner Thomas Fish personally greeted each and every buyer of the Blowout MegaMix to help them make their choice of one of 600 serial-numbered packages, see what was inside and help them collect their findings.

The scene you see above? That's The Boss in action with the collector to the left getting either a box lot of the pictured item or a sealed case. Other surprises in these $100 boxes -- besides the Blowout shirt, a VIP party drawing entry certificate (drawing is Saturday) and even a little sugary Megamix extra -- can include autographed jerseys from Hall of Famers, a guy you might know named Shohei Ohtani and even autographed baseballs from a few Atlanta Braves rookies. (That's all they would tell me in advance -- it's that top secret and the fun is in the mystery.)

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Note: A break from The National coverage for this month's Making the Grade as Buzz preps to be at the show later today. Look for plenty more from Cleveland here soon.

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

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If you're headed to this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, odds are you have a few bucks in your pocket.

We want you to earmark $10 for a little something something at the show -- whatever you want from wherever you want, whatever you think is cool.

Why? We've got a package of 10 cards (see our gallery) that can be yours if you participate in the Blowout Buzz $10 NSCC Challenge. 

Keep reading for the details.

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What: 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 3
Box basics: Six autographs per six-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Contenders hits the diamond with new draft picks, current prospects and memorable past stars all in their school colors.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

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What: 2018 Panini National Treasures baseball cards
Arrives: Sept. 26
Box basics: Eight autographs or memorabilia cards -- including one booklet -- per box (four boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The fifth edition of National Treasures baseball arrives with some of the biggest names in the history of the game in some crazy booklet card combinations as well as the autographs and memorabilia of current guys that collectors have come to expect.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Trevor Rogers, SP, Marlins — Low-A Greensboro Grasshoppers
Season so far: 1-4 with 5.13 ERA, 65 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54.1 innings (12 starts)
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Rogers has worked six or more innings in his last three starts, culminating with Sunday’s gem, where he struck out a career-best 12 batters and carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2017 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2016 Leaf Metal Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: His season numbers look a little LaLooshian but he was the 13th overall pick in last year's draft and he's on the Marlins so they'll take it -- and the potential. The recent games look relatively solid, so if you're sold on the potential of a Marlins pitcher then you might want to bite.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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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: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 4
Cards per box: 40
Set completion: 
10 of 100 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Cal Ripken Jr., Joey Votto, Eddie Mathews, Josh Donaldson, Justin Turner, Jose Ramirez, Marcus Stroman, Salvador Perez, Michael Conforto, Gerrit Cole

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: National wrapper redemption basics and other discussions, a funky Trout and other big pulls.

Continue reading →

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: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 4
Cards per box: 24
Set completion: 
11 of 100 (11 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Corey Seager, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Zack Cozart, Ryan Braun, Kenley Jansen, Chris Archer, Matt Carpenter, Jonathan Gray, Adam Jones, Brian Dozier

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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: 2018 Championship Collection Shohei Ohtani baseball repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Walmart ($19.99)

Packs per box: 15 (five packs are bonus items) plus one Leaf Shohei Ohtani card
Cards per pack: Varies by brand

Notables on base cards – See gallery for key pulls (three hits this time)

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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: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 47
Base set completion: 
26 of 300 (9 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mike Trout, John Smoltz, Michael Rapaport, Ted Williams, Cryptocurrency, Frank Thomas, Ben Lecomte, Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens

Rookie Cards (5) – Ozzie Albies, Walker Buehler, Lucas Sims, Clint Frazier, J.P. Crawford

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Dominating pulls, showing off 1990s NFL cards, NSCC chatter and the "best box of my life."

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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: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 4
Cards per box: 40
Set completion: 
10 of 100 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Nolan Ryan, Buster Posey, Frank Thomas, Reggie Jackson, Manuel Margot, Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Orlando Arcia, Adrian Beltre, Noah Syndergaard

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: An NHL show-off thread, Hulking Out Chrome cards, big pulls, NSCC chatter & more.

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It's a triple-autograph 1/1 creation signed by three of the biggest stars in baseball today because they all homered for the same team last night.

And, Buzz could be wrong, but its price tag sets a new Topps Now price record.

The cost? A cool $9,999.99. It's still up for grabs as I type but who knows how long it might last as other versions are already long gone off of Topps' real-time cardboard platform.

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