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.

Continue reading →

The Panini America VIP Party roster has added some stars from the gridiron.

The newest star revealed on Friday night? Hall of Famer and Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. Former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick was revealed this afternoon, while two past college football greats will also be on hand for Saturday's exclusive event.

Joining them will be three previously revealed NBA guests as well as Texas Longhorns legend Vince Young and former Oklahoma Sooners star "The Boz," Brian Bosworth. 

Continue reading →

The clock is ticking on Day 3 but there's always plenty to see.

This year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is fueling fan interests inside the IX Center in Cleveland with collectors from around the world ripping into packs, digging through bargain bins, getting in on group breaks live from the show floor and checking out other show-exclusives with some often-impressive results.

Vintage? There's plenty of that -- and the biggest card of them all is in the building. You should know him even though you probably can't own him.

Continue reading →

What: SportKings Volume 1 sports cards
Arrives: Nov. 7
Box basics: Two autographs and four memorabilia cards per 10-card box (12 boxes per case)
Pre-order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: SportKings returns to the sports card landscape from SAGE with a new crop of legendary figures in its base set, plenty of hits and plenty of history.

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

Continue reading →

Not a bad pull ...

The first full day is done -- and a new one is just hours away.

This year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is fueling fan interests inside the IX Center in Cleveland with collectors from around the world ripping into packs, digging through bargain bins, getting in on group breaks and checking out other show-exclusives with some often-impressive results. Want just one? See above ...

Buzz is battling some spotty early morning wi-fi, so we've got a smaller gallery than planned from our 1,000-plus images shot on Thursday, but we'll be back online in just a few hours with plenty more. For now, check out this new batch.

Continue reading →

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.)

Continue reading →

The calm before the storm is here.

On-floor preparation for this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is nearing its finale as the booths fill up inside the IX Center in Cleveland. Booth No. 743, the home of BlowoutCards.com should be one of your first stops the show, which begins this evening and runs through Sunday.

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

Continue reading →

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.

--

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 ...

Continue reading →

"Sir Charles" has his own Panini America promo card set at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention -- and it can only be found in one place.

That's at the Panini booth in Cleveland during the show that tips off tomorrow and runs through Sunday at the IX Center is the only place to find the newest Charles Barkley basketball cards.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

"The Round Mound of Rebound" is joining Panini America's team.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has signed an exclusive autograph deal with the Dallas-based company and that means he'll have his first certified autos in packs. He'll also sign memorabilia for Panini Authentic -- basketballs, jerseys and prints -- while his first cards will appear in 2017-18 Panini Noir.

“Barkley’s long absence from the trading card category has had fans clamoring and wondering if he would ever be featured on trading cards again,” Panini CEO Mark Warsop said in a prepared statement. ”This is a great day for NBA fans and all collectors as we will now be able to celebrate Charles’ illustrious career on trading cards and memorabilia.”

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

What: 2017-18 Panini Immaculate Collection basketball cards
Arrives: Oct. 10
Box basics:  Five autographs or memorabilia cards per six-card box (five boxes per case)
Pre-order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Immaculate brings "the widest array of unique memorabilia" to the hardcourt with jumbo patches, brand logos and even team slogan patch cards this time around.

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

Continue reading →

What: 2018 Panini Impeccable football cards
Arrives: Sept. 26
Box basics: Five autographs per eight-card box (three boxes per case)
Pre-order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This high-end NFL brand arrives with at least one rookie patch auto per box, a healthy mix of stars from the past and present as well as some precious metals in its third season on the gridiron.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

The Panini America VIP Party will include some NBA flair from the past and the present.

Saturday's exclusive event will have at least three NBA stars involved as the company has revealed its first three stars appearing at the party who will meet and greet fans.

Cleveland Cavaliers first-round pick Collin Sexton, Orlando Magic pick Mo Bamba and former Boston Celtics star and NBA Slam Dunk Contest champ Dee Brown will be on hand at the event set for Saturday night in Cleveland.

Continue reading →

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 ...

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 (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

Continue reading →

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 box: 2017 Topps WWE Women's Division wrestling cards (box)
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 81
Base set completion: 
39 of 50 (78 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Alexa Bliss, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Nia Jax, Natalya, Asuka, Carmella, Mandy Rose, Stephanie McMahon, Ruby Riot, Elizabeth, Ember Moon, Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Trish Stratus, Sherri Martel, Lita, Liv Morgan, Torrie Wilson, Lana, Maryse, Alicia Fox

Continue reading →

Panini America's National Sports Collectors Convention experience includes plenty of ripped wax -- if you want to partake of course -- and that begins within the first hour of Day 1 at the show beginning Wednesday in Cleveland.

It's via Box Wars and there are 31 battles scheduled for the show.

Continue reading →

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 →

NASCAR fans at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention have a reason to dig into new boxes of 2018 Panini Certified racing cards at the show.

Panini America revealed on Sunday that it has readied a special National racing promo pack that they'll get for each box of Certified they open at the company's booth during the show that's set for Aug. 1-5 in Cleveland.

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

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 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)

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 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

Continue reading →