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 ...

LEADING OFF WITH THE RECORD-BREAKER
The Card: Aaron Judge 2017 Topps Archives 1960 Rookie Stars
The Reason Graded: He has been an established slugger since his 52 homers as a rookie in 2017, but to a degree he'd fallen off card-wise (and power-wise) the last few years until smacking 39 in 2021 and his Yankees team record (and American League record) 62 homers this year.  I got rid of pretty much all of my RCs in 2017 -- no regrets -- to turn them into stuff I actively wanted (I'm still working rather glacially on some of those Clerks autograph runs) but some of my late-year Judge pulls and some inserts were saved along with my lone autograph. While I haven't yet slabbed my ink -- I probably will here at some point once I figure out what box I put it in -- this insert modeled after the memorable-but-overbearing 1960 Topps design was one that jumped out at me. Why? It was soooo clean.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: I was right and that pop shows me I'm not alone -- but it is surprising given how skinny the stock is here.

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

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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: 2022 Jared Kelley Artist Signature Collection (Julio Rodriguez pack)
Where to buy: www.JaredKelley.com

Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of highlights with this one.

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What: 2022 SAGE Artistry football cards
Arrives: Sept. 30
Box basics: Two autographs per six-pack box
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: SAGE brings their inserts to the masses as a standalone brand that is only available in blaster-box form with a mix of drafted players as well as active college star on NIL deals all in one spot.

Keep reading for more info.

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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: 2021 Bowman Platinum baseball cards (mega box)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Initially at Walmart (here when/if available)

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

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What: SportKings Volume 2 sports cards
Arrives: Feb. 5
Box basics: Two autographs, one memorabilia card and one other hit per seven-card box
Pre-order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: SportKings takes the field once again in conjunction with SAGE for a few crop of retro-styled cardboard featuring greats from the past and all-time greats from around the sports world all in one place.

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

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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.

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