The clock is ticking down and the cardboard is ready.

Saturday is Topps National Baseball Card Day and whether you're a regular at your local card shop or you're somebody who ripped into packs just for the gum decades ago, some free stuff can be yours at participating shops.

New this year with this one is a retail component -- keep reading for those details -- as part of the annual event that Topps hopes will draw people into collecting with some new stuff to add to their stash.

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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, a look at breaks today and pondering whether a good photo makes a good card.

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It all started with a tweet and that led to another helping sparking a viral sensation of a baseball card.

And now it's inspired a new Topps Now autograph card with the appropriate inscription.

Cleveland Indians All-Star Shane Bieber pitched his third complete game of the season on Sunday. And today? Well, he's got a "Not Justin" autographed card to show for that and his memorable tweet.

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Group breaks have been a game-changer for the card industry for several years now and from time to time Buzz will jump into a BlowoutTV break of some type and break down the results of what he landed by picking up a team. There are near-daily breaks right here with Matt on Blowout TV during weekday working hours and even more from Houdini and others over on the forum in the evening.

Now, it's time for this post's break breakdown -- a spot in a 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball card case.

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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. Ty France, 3B, Padres — Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas
Baseball America’s highlight line: “If the new Triple-A ball is going to lead to massively inflated offensive numbers, it’s fitting that there’s a player posting one of the best statistical seasons we’ve seen this century. France is now hitting .396/.473/.780 with 26 home runs. He could become the first full-season minor league hitter to top .400 since Erubiel Durazo hit .404 in 1999, and he may do it while hitting more than 30 home runs as well."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 25
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: None yet
Buzz’s card take: He's putting up a year that has historic superlatives involved and he's got just one brand where you can find his baseball cards right now, 2019 Donruss Optic. He's got roughly 25 cards there but we're still left to wait on a certified autograph. He should get another MLB look soon, though the name-drop of Erubiel Durazo should tell you how much stock can be put into historic MiLB seasons in the long run when it comes to cardboard.

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

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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ZION HITS PACKS ... AT THE NATIONAL
The Item: Zion Williamson 2019 Panini National Rainbow Spokes parallel (/50) BGS 9.5
The Price: $1,499.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The NBA's No. 1 draft pick has officially hit packs via the promos that Panini America made for the just-ended National Sports Collectors Convention and its Panini VIP Party on Saturday night. While we haven't seen any ink in wrappers just yet, these promo packs will be the only place to find him until the first 2019-20 draft picks and NBA sets arrive later this year. This is one of a few cards that was graded at the show -- and it won't be the last Williamson cardboard to end up slabbed. There will be many to come ... it's just a matter of when and where, especially when it comes to autographs.
Similar Pieces: Zion Williamson Panini cards on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for the promo packs section 

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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Make your picks with a click ... and free stuff could be yours. That's YourDozen.com every week, and up this time are a dozen questions for WWE's SummerSlam and MLB action this weekend.

Blowout Cards' hot spot for your shot at free stuff is in its 28th week -- and this time the big prize is a total mystery. (Even Buzz doesn't know this time.)

And we've had nobody run the table with a perfect week in the history of YourDozen. Can you be the first?

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<<

Did you get in on last week's action? Check the leaderboard and contact fish@blowoutcards.com to claim your prize if you're the winner.

How does it work? Keep reading ...

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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: Bieber error leads to tweets and that leads to cash, big pulls, new breaks and news from The National that also includes the FBI.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around they're a little pricer than my normal pick-ups.

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I AM GROOT ... 
The Card: Groot 2018-19 Upper Deck Marvel Annual sketch card -- artist: Poognasty (1/1)
The Price: $21.25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I did a double-take when I saw the detail of this sketch card in comparison to its price. While sketch cards can get super cheap these days -- even for full-color comic sets -- that's often due to quality of the work. This one seems like it was seriously underpriced. Groot is one of the more unique characters in the Marvel universe these days, though he's more of a merch machine in his child years vs. adult years seen here. Either way, this one was striking and I had little hesitation picking this one up. That's easily the most I've spent on a sketch card but it's by far my best one, too.
Grab a box right here: 2018-19 Upper Deck Marvel Annual (when available)

Keep reading for a dozen more interesting items ...

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Via @oahusportscards ... Rex Ryan decided to stop by and buy a 2019 Topps Heritage Mike Trout /70.

The final day of this year’s edition of The National is happening now inside the Donald  E. Stephens Convention Center and it's been a busy show with the preview night (click for gallery), Day 2 already behind us (gallery), Day 3 also in the books (gallery) and Day 4 and the Panini VIP Party a wrap (gallery).

Now, though, it’s time for the finale. Since we're not yet going today on the show floor, we'll lead things off up top with a few scenes from yesterday and last night before we add new images.

Keep reading for more and to see a gallery that will grow throughout the day.

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Via @r9tee ... Panini VIP got me thinking ... #WhoDoYouCollect? #PaniniVIP

Day 4 of this year’s edition of The National is coming soon inside the Donald  E. Stephens Convention Center and it's been a busy couple of days already with the preview night (click for gallery), Day 2 already behind us (gallery) and Day 3 also in the books (gallery).

Now it’s time for the busiest day of the show and then the Panini VIP Party you'll see right here after that. Since we're not yet going today on the show floor, we'll lead things off up top with a few scenes from late yesterday's action.

Keep reading for more and to see a gallery that will grow throughout the day.

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Via @nsccshow ... The Panini America Kids Break at the 40th National Sports Collectors Convention.

Day 3 of this year’s edition of The National is coming soon inside the Donald  E. Stephens Convention Center and it's been a busy couple of days already with the preview night (click for gallery) and Day 2 already behind us (gallery).

Now it’s time for a new slate of signers and even more action. Since we're not yet going today, we'll lead things off up top with the Panini America Kids break and some more highlights from yesterday.

Keep reading for more and to see a gallery that will grow throughout the day.

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All that limousine riding and jet flying is to get to the Panini America VIP Party on Saturday night.

Professional wrestling legend "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is the ninth star that Panini has revealed for the event tomorrow night in Chicago.

The 16-time world champion is a member of several wrestling Halls of Fame and has been a global star for WWE, WCW, the NWA and other past organizations as one of the top heels in pro wrestling history. He had his first certified autographs made by Panini in its 2009 Americana release -- and, if you're to believe him back in the day, his shoes cost more than your house.

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The Panini America VIP Party has another Hall of Famer suiting up.

Former Atlanta Braves slugger Chipper Jones will be on hand for the Saturday event made for high-rollers in Chicago, and he's the eighth star announced for the show.

The former third baseman and outfielder hit .303 with 468 home runs and 1,623 RBI in his 19-year career that included a World Series ring in 1995, eight All-Star appearances, an NL MVP award and an NL batting title.

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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: 2019 Topps Chrome baseball cards (mega box)
Where to buy: Click here (a few formats)

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: 
30 of 204 (15 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Jacob deGrom, Blake Snell, Max Scherzer, Rhys Hoskins, Kris Bryant, Byron Buxton, Buster Posey

Rookie Cards (11) – Eloy Jimenez, Jake Cave, Francisco Arcia, Michael Kopech, Chance Adams, Cionel Perez, Taylor Ward, DJ Stewart, Josh James, Kevin Kramer, Corbin Burnes

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Just one of the Blowout MegaMix Day 1 winners ... a National Treasures case in a $200 box? Yep.

Day 1 of this year’s edition of The National is over inside the Donald  E. Stephens Convention Center and the preview night (click for gallery) has come and gone, too.

Now it’s time for Day 2 with a larger slate of signers -- heavy on the football today -- and plenty of action. Since we're not yet going we'll lead things off up top with one of the MegaMix rippers who hit it big. (A small number of boxes are available today, so get to the booth quick if you didn't pre-order.)

Keep reading for more and to see a gallery that will grow throughout the day as the doors open shortly.

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The Panini America VIP Party has a Hall of Famer and a heavy hitter ready for its Saturday soiree.

Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman and500 Home Run Club member Rafael Palmeiro will be there, and that ups the roster to seven past stars from the sports world and beyond for the event made for high-rollers in the hobby this weekend in Chicago.

In 18 seasons for the Marlins, Padres and Brewers Hoffman recorded 601 saves, which is second only to the new Hall of Famer who passed him, Mariano Rivera. 

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The No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft has a new team.

Panini America revealed on Thursday that it has signed Finnish hockey star Kaapo Kakko to an exclusive autograph card deal. That means the new New York Rangers star will only have autographed Rookie Cards via Panini, which no longer holds an NHL card license after its deal there ended following the 2013-14 season.

“Kaapo Kakko is nothing less than an international hockey phenomenon and his arrival in the U.S. – and New York, no less — is one of the most exciting developments the sport has seen in years,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop in a prepared release. “He’s expected by many to drive the hockey trading card market this season and is poised to become the next great athlete in the sport of hockey, and we’re thrilled to have him as an exclusive member of the Panini America team. We’re looking forward to working closely with him to create exciting and creative trading cards for fans and collectors and having him be a part of a number of new initiatives in the trading card category.” Continue reading →

If you have this card and are at The National, then at least $2,500 could be yours.

It's a 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter framed autograph card of Blowout Cards' Thomas Fish and while it's one of just 10 framed cards put into packs it's the only one with this special inscription.

This reward stands until 3 p.m. on Saturday at the show and the card must be presented at Booth 854 to claim.

Even better? If this tweet from the @BlowoutCards account gets retweeted more than 2,500 times then the price goes up -- the price will be the same as the number of RTs with a cap of $5,000.

With so many boxes of Ginter on the show floor at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, there's a good shot that it could be right there, right now ... waiting on you.

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

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com.

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 ...

The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Living Set #179 RC
The Reason Graded: While I own a few Topps Living Set cards the arrival of this second-generation MLB star in this weekly release sparked my first purchase from this popular brand that's clearly popular with flippers. I ponied up for 10 copies of the card --solely with potential grading in mind -- but didn't receive a single perfectly centered card in my batch, which was a bummer. After some grumbling, I picked out this one from the batch and sent it in.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: It graded as well as I thought it could -- maybe better -- so I wasn't unhappy with the grade and it appears that I'm perhaps on the luckier side with just two 10s out there better than it via BGS ... for now. This is a card that will likely be graded more and more often so those won't last but but it appears that this one is arriving between 8.5 and 9.5 more often than not. I have a second one I'll submit to PSA at some point with my sights set on a 10 there. We'll see sometime later this year.

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The Panini America VIP Party has its quarterback.

Former Philadelphia Eagles star Randall Cunningham is the fifth celebrity guest set to attend the Saturday-night event rewarding high-rollers in the hobby after he was revealed as an attendee on Wednesday evening.

Earlier today, Panini revealed Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka as the fourth guest for its big show coinciding with The National this weekend in Chicago.

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The Show of all shows is almost here.

On-floor preparation for The National is nearing its finale as the booths fill up inside the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. One of your first stops that you see here? Booth No. 854, the home of BlowoutCards.com for the show, which begins this evening and runs through Sunday.

But that’s not the only early scene seen so far …

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Da Bears will have a spot at the Panini America VIP Party.

Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka is the latest star to be revealed by Panini for its big event coinciding with The National this weekend. He's the fourth guest announced for the event rewarding high-rollers in the hobby.

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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: The National is almost here, Blowout MegaMix is here, NFL chatter, big pulls and more in today's edition.

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What: 2019 Topps Star Wars Stellar Signatures trading cards
Arrives: Oct. 30
Box basics: 40 encased autographed cards (four duals), one sketch card and a 100-card art set per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: The third release of the biggest and rarest Star Wars release of them all will include plenty of hits from a galaxy far, far away with a print run that's once again elite.

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

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