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Making the Grade (Dec.): NFL newcomers, Wrestling All-Stars, vintage Hall of Famers, musical legends, Ja & Zion and more

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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 ... it's a bit of a super-sized edition.
DOMINATING THIS YEAR
The Card: Jonathan Taylor 2020 Donruss #317 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: If it's not my main collecting focus within the sport I'm at best a dabbler when buying football -- and this is a recent example. I grabbed this since it felt like the cheaper side of things as Taylor has had flashes of brilliance this season (and last year) -- in fact, this was less than $12 not long ago and he's put on some real shows in the weeks since. That's why I have him leading things off here over some far-pricier pick-ups and new slabs I have gotten back lately. (Keep reading for those.)
The Grade: PSA 9

Grade 1 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 78 115 200
Reality Check: I liked this for the price but I'm not sure I'd go higher based on the pop report -- or pay up for a 10 when they're seemingly checking in there at a heavy clip. (Yet, he seems like the real deal -- so if you're solely focused on NFL he's a must-look.) This isn't my favorite of his RCs, but the brand might be my No. 1 for the last few years. Why? The simplicity. I liked the design for this one but the images can be a little limited for the RC crop with all the COVID issues that were seen on cardboard last year. I was a little surprised to see so many copies graded for this one as cheaper cards like this shouldn't be submitted for grading with steep processing fees -- at least right now. (There were probably a lot of them sent before PSA halted submissions as he was impressive late in his rookie season.)
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Continue reading →

This entry was posted in Baseball, Basketball, Comics, Football, Multi-sport, Non-sports, Pro Wrestling, Golf, Making the Grade, Music, TV, Vintage and tagged BGS, Hulk Hogan, Michael Jordan, MiLB, NBA, NFL, non-sports, Panini America, PGA, PSA, Topps, WWE, 1958 Topps, 1982 Wrestling All-Stars, 1991 Bowman, 1992 Pro Line Profiles, Bo Bichette, CGC, Frank Robinson, Johnny Cash, Music, Prince Fielder, Terry Funk, Three's Company, Tiger Woods, 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Series A, 2017 Bowman Chrome Mini, Waylon Jennings, Ronald Acuña Jr., Bodacious, 2018 SportKings, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Aerosmith, 2019-20 Donruss Optic, 2020 Topps Opening Day, 2020 Donruss, 2019-20 NBA Hoops Winter, Jonathan Taylor, Ed Bailey, Birdie Tebbets, 2020 Topps WWE Undisputed, Frank "Home Run" Baker, Rhea Ripley, CSG, 1940 Play Ball, Colin Powell, 2013 SP Authentic, 2003 Multi-Ad Sports Beloit Snappers, Shadowman, Valiant Comics, Jerry Glanville, Kris Kristofferson on December 1, 2021 by BlowoutBuzz.

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NEW RELEASES

Baseball (all dates subject to change)
Oct. 1 - 2025 Panini Three & Two
Oct. 1 - 2025 TRISTAR H.T. Gr. Slam
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Oct. TBD - 2025 Leaf Vivid
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Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Foundry
Oct. TBD - 2024 Pulse Lumin HSE
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Basketball
Oct. 16 - 2025 Donruss WNBA
Oct. TBD - 2024-25 Prizm Black

Football
Oct. 1 - 2025 Leaf Vivid
Oct. 8 - 2025 Panini Black
Oct. 9 - 2024 Panini Flawless
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Oct. 10 - 2025 Donruss Hobby Tin
Oct. 10 - 2025 TRISTAR H.T. Minis PSE
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Oct. 24 - 2025 Panini Mosaic
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Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Foundry HSE
Oct. TBD - 2025 Pulse Meridian HSE
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Oct. TBD - 2024 TruMystery Chips
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Hockey
Oct. 8 - 2024-25 Ultimate Collection
Oct. 15 - 2025-26 UD Series 1
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Oct. TBD - 2024-25 Engrained Icons

Other/Multi-sports
Oct. 1 - 2025 Topps Triumphant Tennis
Oct. 3 - 2025 Leaf Metal Halloween
Oct. 3 - 2025 Panini Absolute K League
Oct. 3 - 2025 Panini Turn Four Racing
Oct. 3 - 2025 Wild Card Haunted Hits
Oct. 6 - 2025 Futera World Unique 21
Oct. 10 - 2025 Leaf History Book SE 2
Oct. 15 - 2025 S.B. Supercharged 2
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Oct. 17 - 2025 Topps UFC Knockout
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Oct. 24 - 2025 Panini Prizm NASCAR
Oct. 29 - 2025 Panini Combat Anth.
Oct. TBD - 2025 AEW SP Game Used

Non-sports
Oct. 1 - Topps Chrome Spongebob
Oct. 9 - Keepsake Invincible S1P
Oct. 10 - Topps Chrome Dune
Oct. 15 - Historic Autos 15th
Oct. 15 - Historic Autos WWII
Oct. 15 - Topps Disney Wonder
Oct. 17 - Pieces of Past Royalty
Oct. 30 - Decision Color Cut SE
Oct. TBD - Keepsake Bob Marley
Oct. TBD - Pieces of Past Asia

Gaming
Oct. 10 - Pokemon ME Build & Battle
Oct. 10 - Pokemon Mega Latias EX
Oct. 10 - Pokemon S&R EX PC
Oct. 10 - Yugioh CD: Fallen & Virtuous
Oct. 24 - Pokemon Trainer's Tool Kit
Oct. 24 - Pokemon Gengar/Diancie
Oct. TBD - Pokemon S&V Pri. Ev. PFC

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