Fast Five: Big-sale boxes I'd consider ripping right now

This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five boxes in the big sale that I'm considering digging into right now.

RETRO-STYLED HIGH-END MLB
Buzz doesn't really rip a lot of high-end boxes -- I go for the safety of volume value since I'm generally not a re-seller at all -- but this one in the big sale (the only box of my picks over $60 on this list) is one that has a combo that you don't see a boatload of these days ... a retro aesthetic with high-end potential. Boxes of 2019 Topps Brooklyn Collection MLB include seven cards -- two autographs, two parallels and three base cards -- all on thick stock with styles from the past but never used. All five of the parallel sets are /75 or less with just 50 cards in the base set (simple enough to chase via singles). The auto list is 79 with four parallels per card with names that include Hall of Famers and past/present stars. It's a mix that includes Derek Jeter, Hank Aaron, Ichiro Suzuki, Bryce Harper, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., Sandy Koufax, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and many more. Only two autos per box might make landing these notables tougher ... but they are in there.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

IF YOU'RE GOING THERE ... GO HOBBY 
There's plenty to loathe here -- just look at everybody on the Decision 2016 box -- but this one is a landmark release that I've actually never ripped into ... but I've come close. There are blasters, rack boxes, retail display boxes and hobby boxes all up for grabs in the big sale with this one but if you're going to go there I'd suggest a hobby box. These include 12 inserts and a box-topper every time -- others include about half that or far less -- and the hobby boxes are the home to cut autos (one per 12-box case) as well as flag cards, gem cards, shredded money cards and more. It's unclear if other formats deliver that based on what I have seen -- short of watching several breaker videos from the past -- but the ink runs the political spectrum and can pay for a box (or a few) depending on who you might find if you do. I've been tempted and the box price is better now but it's always been surpassed by other boxes that guarantee more across the wide array of non-sports options. I was going to do a blaster as a throw-in but hobby boxes can deliver a ton more with a lot more up-side. If you're going here, go hobby.

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BARGAIN PRICED WITH UPSIDE
I'm not making this pick based on the show -- I'm not all that familiar with it -- but the price of Orphan Black Season 1 boxes right now (about two blasters) is pretty good compared to the potential returns. Autographs and mem cards both show up one per box with dual-mem, printing plates and more also possible. The signer roster is just 15, which includes two series creators, but the lead actor, Tatiana Maslany, appears on 10 different cards to up that total to 24 different cards here. Meanwhile, she's an auto that will more than cover the cost of a box and you never know what future roles might command attention to make her profile even higher at some point. The fact that she has so many cards alone is an interesting move -- and there are also inscriptions autos to be found in these, too.

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DON'T ASSUME DEAD INTEREST FOR A DEAD LEAGUE ... 
I've seen more than a few people assume the 2020 Topps XFL boxes would be destined for permanent bargain bin status with the reboot of the Vince McMahon-owned league being toast right around the time of this one's arrival. But there are two things to consider here -- they simply don't make as many boxes for stuff like this vs. NFL stuff and, for whatever reason, dead football leagues tend to be oddly popular with fans after the fact. Don't believe me? Look at the eBay numbers on these autographs ... they shouldn't be that high but they are. Now go back and check the completed numbers ... they can be even higher. Box prices on this one aren't stiff -- and you get three autos per.

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FEWER OPTIONS, MORE VALUE
You might not think to rip into WNBA boxes for high-dollar cards -- especially in direct comparison to the crazy NBA cardboard out there -- but there's some good potential with 2019 Donruss WNBA boxes. Why? There are far fewer -- if any -- options out there for player collectors with rare parallels and autos getting more attention than you might think on eBay since there few other cards for key names. Hit this link and flip to completeds and it might surprise you. You get 30 inserts and two autos per box here with a half-dozen of those being Optic cards ... some good safety in numbers.

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What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

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