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: 2023 SportKings Volume 4 sports cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: Click here

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Continue reading →

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 ...

FROM THE BARGAIN BIN TO ...
The Card: Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Topps Traded -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I picked up this at the last minute -- literally at closing time -- at a past National Sports Collectors Convention after some digging through a bargain bin where cards were literally bouncing around inside cases in a plastic tub. For just $5 this card (as a raw copy) was mine after one thing jumped out at me -- its back with all that black ink was perfectly cut and its front was super-close to centered. It's not that I needed this card, really, as I picked up about three or four sets from the 1989 JCPenney Christmas catalog -- just $12.99 apiece -- back in the day, but I found the rough back edges to be an issue when revisiting all my copies with the the stars that survived past purges. This one made it into one of my bulk grading subs earlier this year as it was past time to grade one. Yes, it's got a very slight rough spot on the front left -- some extra fuzz as it's some light cardboard -- but everything else here (especially the back) was too clean to not send it in.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: That's definitely the kind of grade I was going for here, though a lot of them seem to check in at that mark -- about 17 percent of the current population -- which seems high for the era, but, at the same time, these were released as boxed sets and not in packs so they perhaps didn't get handled as much during packaging. Plus, inner cards in the boxes got protected pretty well. I'll take it. This one has always been one of my favorite RCs for this icon ... because I could afford this one and not the other big one that many love. I have them all now, of course (I think), but I'm pretty sure few or even none of my copies from back then would grade like this one did. Not bad for a $5 find and then $10 more to grade it.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Panini Chronicles baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 4
Box basics:  Three autographs and one memorabilia card per six-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Panini's all-in-one brand hit the diamond for another year with some familiar sets as well as some new ones all under one lid.

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

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less 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.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

--

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON ... 
The Item: Paul "Bear" Bryant cut autograph (BAS authenticated)
The Price: Less than a lot of new hobby boxes.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This pricier (for me) pick-up actually came in the last week of last year but I decided to hold onto posting it here until it's the right time -- and since football season is upon us, well, that means now's the time. In the fall of 2019, I bought a starter auto of this legendary Alabama Crimson Tide coach who before Nick Saban was easily the greatest in school history (right now, it's perhaps a toss-up) -- that one was an inscribed nickname-only auto -- for a lot less as it was a cut from a paperback book. This one? It's signed on thick, red paper (almost a light cardboard stock) and I know exactly where it came from -- a 1975 copy of his autobiography, Bear: The Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama's Coach Bryant. I have a clean-but-ratty copy of that book somewhere in my stash from an antiques store find 20-some years ago, but when this popped up from a West Coast mega-dealer of vintage (and selected modern-player) autographed stuff and plenty more I bit. I actually prefer the cut auto feel here in its case vs. the full book as it can be viewed when you find it vs. tucked behind a cover. A lot of Bryant autographs are found these days -- 40 years after his death -- are on signed copies of this book or on a style of autographed photo or two that is nearly always found inscribed and dated to fans or boosters from back in the day. While a photo (preferably slabbed) would be nice, this is a better, simpler item. Authenticated photos can cost less but look iffier depending on condition. I like this one -- and it's card-like feel -- and, heck, I might even do more. They are out there and findable.
Grab a box right here: College football boxes

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Leaf A Bronx Legacy baseball cards
Arrives: Dec. 29
Box basics:  Four "premium hits" per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf turns its attention to New York for a release that's focused on the legends found as part of the history books for one of the biggest franchises in all of baseball history.

Keep reading for more info and a full montage of cards released so far.

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: 2023 SportKings Volume 4 sports cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: Click here

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Super Break Supercharged Series 3
Arrives: Sept. 18
Box basics: Three items per box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Super Break offers up a third version of a memorabilia vault type of offering this year with some of the biggest names in the game (all sports) and other notables from pop culture and elsewhere all possible -- "GOATs, GOATs and more GOATs," according to the company.

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 packs: 1984 Donruss Baseball Champions
Where to buy: Check throwback spots ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer MLB cards

Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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: 2023 SportKings Volume 4 sports cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: Click here

Continue reading →

What: Historic Autographs 1918 End of The Great War trading cards
Arrives: July 26
Box basics: Four inserts or relics per 20-pack box (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs takes a look at the world in the years after World War I -- in all directions -- with a look at the conflicts, the pop culture, the icons, the artifacts and more.

Keep reading for more information.

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 4
Box basics: Four autographs and two memorabilia cards per six-card box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Immaculate is back for a new season on the diamond with nothing but hits inside for stars from the past and then promising prospects and guys who may already be new to the majors just this year.

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

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Panini Prizm baseball cards
Arrives: June 21
Box basics:  Three autographs per 12-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Prizm arrives for a new year with all-time greats and MLB prospects in play here as part of the formula from the past but without established current MLB veterans.

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

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: 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this box.

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Historic Autographs Originals Back-to-back baseball cards
Arrives: May 3
Box basics: One encased Originals back-to-back card per box (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs pairs cut autographs with original cards all in one creation with this release that is stacked with all-time greats as well as obscure ink from past stars.

Keep reading for more information.

Continue reading →

What: 2022 Topps Transcendent Collection baseball cards
Arrives: March 31, 2023
Box basics: 55 autographs and more per box
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Transcendent returns with the familiar lineup of high-end inclusions that will set the stage for deluxe cardboard with a VIP event and more within its 99 boxes ... and this time there's even a new four-card Chrome pack only found here with Reds (above) and a Superfractor every time.

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

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less 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.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... 

--

HER TIME IS NOW ... 
The Cards: Rhea Ripley 2020 Topps Transcendent WWE (/50) -- Rookie Card
The Price: Less than some of your new boxes out there
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one is more of a long-term buying project for me as I think Ripley has the potential to be an all-time great in the WWE's women's ranks. She's only 26 and has literally been wrestling half of her life, already has held WWE gold and this is her premium-brand Rookie Card (gaming cards don't count in my world) that has an iconic pose and is limited to only 50 copies. This one also is easily among the priciest of the unsigned cards in this pricey set that was made to be broken up. Only three of these are new additions for me but I had to take a pic of all five together as a bit of a brag -- I don't do that a lot and I don't like to give the prices when I spend big on stuff -- but this is a card I like ... and I'm definitely not done yet. She has other Rookie Cards (with logos ... this set didn't use them) from 2020 but this one will always be the best in my book and we know exactly how many exist and that it cost plenty for somebody else to land one. She's got another WrestleMania match against an all-time great, Charlotte Flair, here soon and I don't know exactly how that might go ... but I do know she's definitely worthy of a long and dominating title reign and a smackdown of a great would solidify her place. I think her time is now.
Grab a box right here: WWE boxes can be found here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

What: SportKings Volume 4 sports cards
Arrives: March 15
Box basics: Two autographs, one memorabilia card and possibly one other hit per seven-card hobby box (12 boxes per case); One hit per 50-card blaster box (40 per case)
Pre-order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: SportKings takes the field for a fourth time from SAGE with the familiar look and format for past editions.

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

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: A big error, big questions, big pulls, Hall of Famers and is anything safe in the NBA bubble?

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: 2021 Donruss baseball cards (hanger box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for this one.

Continue reading →

What: 2022 Panini Flawless baseball cards
Arrives: Dec. 30
Box basics: Seven autos, two memorabilia and one gem card per 10-card box (two boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Flawless is back for another year of high-end finds with the superstars of the past and present all in one spot and with some new touches and inclusions that add to the hits-driven approach here.

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

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: Jeremy Pena and the Houston Astros are a win away from winning it all, some good thoughts, two good questions and "PSA made me cry a little today."

Continue reading →

What: 2022 Panini National Treasures baseball cards
Arrives: Jan. 6, 2023
Box basics: Eight autographs or memorabilia cards per box (four boxes per case) ... FOTL boxes will include one exclusive auto, one exclusive memorabilia card and six other auto or mem cards (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: National Treasures baseball cards will arrive for the ninth time with new rookies, all-time greats and plenty of the inclusions expected from the brand.

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

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: 2022 Topps Archives baseball cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one.

Continue reading →

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 ... and it's one of the biggest months ever.

A MONSTER MONTH ...
The Card: Bo Bichette 2020 Topps Archives Snapshots Archives Autographs
The Reason Graded: I've been buying up Bo Bichette cards relatively heavily by my standards -- second perhaps only to some top favorites and people with school ties -- but of all my pick-ups only one was an autograph. These were, I believe, via a redemption and that's how I landed mine -- at least in a sealed Topps top-loader -- and I opted to slab it in a recent submission. (Even though I generally don't grade a lot of autos as I don't want to get a dreaded grade on a card I like.)
The Grade: CSG 9

Reality Check: I'm fine with nines, but this one seemed like a slight bummer as I didn't see anything dramatically wrong with it -- so there must have been a couple of minor issues that dropped it down in tandem. The design here is one that doesn't have a lot of perfectly center-able features ... so maybe part of that was just a judgment call, too.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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: Aaron Judge hits his 60th, collectors remember Maury Wills, 2022 Topps Chrome, pondering the top MiLB player, new pulls and more.

Continue reading →