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: 2018 Donruss Optic Red & Yellow #153 Baker Mayfield (RC parallel)
The Reason Graded: I found this one in a Mega Box and it was by far the best highlight of the bunch there so that's why you see it here. Mayfield has shown himself to be a spark plug among a good rookie crop since back when I pulled it, so that's another reason. A third? This brand is one that I like more than others. The color scheme of this card, a retail-exclusive, also looked good, so I figured I'd slab it up and see how it looked when it came back. These were very pricey when they first started arriving on eBay but I'm sure they have settled down by now -- still an impressive card to me either way and I'll be tucking this one away in my stash alongside my Bowman Chrome Tom Brady RC for the simple long-term appreciation. (Mine, not financial.)
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: At the point I submitted this one, there was at most one graded and I'm still surprised that there are so few slabbed. I also was surprised with the grade figuring I'd check in at a likely BGS 9 but I'll take it. I think high-grade copies of retail-only parallels found in certain formats could be tougher future finds than people might think.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

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There aren't a lot of details on this new Panini America release other than, well, if you run into Barry Sanders this weekend you might get one from him.

"Excited for homecoming and the opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my 1988 season w/ @OSUAthletics & @CowboyFB," Sanders tweeted on Friday. "My friends @PaniniAmerica created a special card set [featuring] the classic 1988 Donruss design. Find me this weekend & I just might give you one! #WhoDoYouCollect"

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What: 2018 Donruss Optic football cards
Arrives: Dec. 12
Box basics: One autograph per 20-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Optic takes to the gridiron for another season with an Optichromed take on basic Donruss with plenty of ink and parallels for fans.

Keep reading for more info as well as some early images.

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Barring some unforeseen need for shelving in the next few days, I made one last trek to a Toys R Us on Saturday afternoon -- Store No. 8919, according to my receipt -- in advance of its closing forever.

By this time next week, the long-running toy chain will be no more as bankruptcy will be the final chapter of this story that began back in the 1940s. It will end a run that clearly had its share of successes -- and mistakes -- but one that has left an indelible mark on pop culture and kids everywhere -- and probably their parents' pocketbooks, too.

I don't wanna grow up ...

Jogging my memory a bit, I've been to Toys R Us stores in probably five states -- that's not a lot as I didn't really grow up as a true Toys R Us Kid, meaning we had to drive a couple hours to find the closest one when I was younger and most in my toy prime. But this particular store? It just might be -- actually, I can pretty much guarantee this -- it is the first Toys R Us I ever visited. When? I'm not sure when the first time happened but those same doors I walked through today were the doors I walked through long ago looking for 1988 Donruss baseball cards and other "bargain packs" all those years ago. It's definitely where I first bought a Jose Canseco Baseball Card Kit and it's where I first discovered The Conlon Collection in baseball card form. (The price was right and the history there is still priceless today.) It's where I'm sure I bought a few NASCAR diecasts in the more recent past, too, as we would visit relatives on vacation and I'd hit all the different stores in town looking for cards and whatever other interesting toy or collectable piqued my interest at the time.

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What: 2018 Donruss football cards
Arrives: Aug. 1
Box basics: One autograph and one memorabilia card per 24-pack box (18 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Panini's Donruss NFL brand arrives for a new season the design we've seen for baseball  this year -- one that appears primed for Optichrome treatment -- with a new crop of Rated Rookies and a nod to 1988 Donruss baseball cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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: Fairfield Baseball 20-pack retail repack (mock image above)
Where to buy: Target ($19.99)

Packs per box: 20 -- plus bonus toy pack and bonus hit
Cards per pack: Varies by brand
Cards in this box: 262
Base set completion: N/A

Notables on base cards – See gallery for better pulls

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