With these Ticket Stud or Ticket Dud stories I'm turning just a tiny bit of that energy just a few degrees away from cards (we'll still have plenty of them here) for a different kind of cardboard. What am I doing? Simple ... this is an occasional dip into some random ticket lots -- a show and tell showing something small with a story.

This time? One from deep in the box ... an MLB mystery revealed.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and tell me if you think it's a Ticket Stud or a Ticket Dud.

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This is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five reasons a sports card can be appealing ... beyond just value.

A STRONG PHOTO
We all know a lot of cards from any sports (or non-sports) set from the past that has a photo that's just so clean or different that it stands out from the rest of the pack every time we see it. It doesn't have to be a star, it doesn't have to be a bum ... it's just memorable. Sometimes cards like these can actually command more value than others around it (probably moreso in the years before hits and inserts) but that added appeal can't hurt. The card you see here? It's a simple portrait -- literally nothing but the image -- no design here -- and that's why I chose it. It shows the power of letting the photo have its moment. I own hundreds of Derek Jeter cards that I don't really want or need but the strong photo here makes me want and need it. It's rarer (/100) and from the 2019 Topps Transcendent VIP Party set, but this one would be a card I'd chase if it were from Opening Day. It's all about the photo.

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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 boxes: 2012 Panini Signature Series baseball cards
Where to buy: Click here

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

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 5.

The box: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (Mega Box)
The cost: Click here

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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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: 2018 Topps Chrome Update baseball cards (mega box)
Where to buy: Initially only at Target (click here for past mega boxes)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 28
Base set completion: 
25 of 100 (25 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Aaron Judge, Javier Baez, Ian Kinsler, Josh Hader, Mitch Haniger, Jose Altuve, Charlie Blackmon, Jose Bautista, J.D. Martinez, Chris Sale, Christian Yelich, Willson Contreras, Corey Kluber

Rookie Cards (12) – Walker Buehler, Gleyber Torres, Victor Robles, Chris Stratton, Michael Soroka (two different), Nick Kingham, Clint Frazier, Daniel Mengden, Willy Adames, Fernando Romero, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

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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: 2017 Topps Holiday Box baseball cards
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 98
Base set completion: 
92 of 200 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, Mike Trout, Manny Machado, Buster Posey, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Cabrera, Mookie Betts, Yasiel Puig, Ichiro Suzuki, Max Scherzer, Luis Severino

Rookie Cards (21) – Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Yoan Moncada, Ian Happ, Derek Fisher, Trey Mancini, Lewis Brinson, Jharel Cotton, Robert Gsellman, Jorge Bonifacio, Joe Musgrove, Sean Newcomb, David Dahl, Mitch Haniger, Ryon Healy, Reynaldo Lopez, Franklin Barreto, Jeff Hoffman, Dinelson Lamet, Jesse Winker, Manny Margot

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is our finale for today.

The box:2012 Topps Heritage baseball cards (24-pack retail)
Where to buy: Click here -- for Value Boxes with Heritage hobby packs

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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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: 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

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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: 2012 Topps Heritage baseball cards (24-pack retail)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for Value Boxes with two Heritage hobby packs)

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 215
Base set completion: 
194 of 425 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Yadier Molina, Justin Verlander, Aroldis Chapman, Felix Hernandez, Stephen Strasburg, Jason Heyward, Dustin Pedroia, Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, Joe Mauer, Ryan Howard, Johan Santana, Todd Frazier, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Joe Maddon, Adrian Beltre, Matt Kemp, Tim Lincecum, Albert Pujols, Joey Votto

Rookie Cards (25) – Adron Chambers (SP), Brett Lawrie, Jesus Montero, Matt Moore, Devin Mesoraco, Austin Romine, Wilin Rosario, Addison Reed, Jared Hughes, Chris Schwinden, Tim Federowicz, Nick Hagadone, Tom Milone and a dozen multi-player cards with notables there including Dellin Betances and Devin Mesoraco.

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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: 2018 Donruss baseball cards (hanger box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 60
Set completion: 
42 of 270 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – The San Diego Chicken, Giancarlo Stanton, Andrew Benintendi, Bryce Harper, Nolan Ryan, Jose Altuve, Trea Turner, George Brett, Max Scherzer, Josh Donaldson, Aaron Judge, Dave Winfield, Joey Votto, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Jim Palmer

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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 boxes: 2012 Topps baseball value boxes
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8 (Two Topps Heritage hobby, five Topps retail, one Refractor/Golden Giveaway pack)
Cards per pack: 8 per Topps, 9 per Heritage, 1 in Refractor
Cards per box: 59

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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: 2017 Topps Gallery baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: Initially only at Walmart

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard & Artist Proof pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 33
Base set completion: 
24 of 150 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Justin Verlander, Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Bautista

Rookie Cards (10) – Alex Bregman, Carson Fulmer, Jesse Winker, Alex Reyes, Hunter Renfroe, Trey Mancini, Magneuris Sierra, Ian Happ, Lewis Brinson, Orlando Arcia

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is Hour 11.

The box: 2017 Topps Chrome MLB blaster
The cost: Click here

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is Hour 1.

The box: 2017 Donruss baseball (blaster)
The cost: $19.99 (get hobby here)

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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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: 2017 Topps Museum Collection baseball cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 4
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 20
Base set completion: 
10 of 100 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Bryce Harper, Don Mattingly, David Ortiz, Buster Posey, Carlos Correa, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, Freddie Freeman, Yu Darvish

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is Hour 3.

The box: 2013 Topps Heritage baseball blaster (Hot Box)
The cost: $16

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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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: 2017 Donruss baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 56
Base set completion: 
41 of 195 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Short-prints (Nos. 1-45; Diamond Kings & Rated Rookies) (3) – Mike Trout (DK), Josh Bell, Jose DeLeon

Notables on base cards – Pete Rose, Mike Trout, Wade Boggs, Clayton Kershaw,  Jose Bautista, Noah Syndergaard, Yoenis Cespedes, Jackie Bradley Jr.

>>> For a variation gallery, click here
>>> For a checklist & general gallery, click here

Rookie Cards (2) – Josh Bell, Jose DeLeon

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is the finale of today's marathon.

The pack: 2015 Topps Heritage baseball blaster box
The cost now: $19.99
The cost then: $19.99

What's inside this box? Keep reading ...

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Contest prizes, Gotham boxes, Prizm cases, MLB hits and the last box on the shelf.

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National Baseball Card Day is this Saturday.

The hobby shop event will have participating stores in the United States and Canada giving away free six-card packs to visitors. It's a promotion that hasn't been done since 2008.

A bonus card of Kris Bryant will only be available with purchases. It can be seen above.

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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: 2013 Topps Chrome baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard packs and one Purple Refractor pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 32
Base set completion: 
22 of 220 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Jose Bautista, Cole Hamels, Starlin Castro, Max Scherzer

Rookie Cards (8) – Melky Mesa, Didi Gregorious, Alex Colome, Zack Wheeler, Robbie Grossman, Eury Perez, Carter Capps, Shelby Miller

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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: 2016 Topps Archives baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 80
Base set completion: 
74 of 300 (25 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Stephen Strasburg, George Brett, David Wright, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Eddie Mathews, Clayton Kershaw, Jose Bautista, Nolan Ryan, Ken Griffey Jr., Jose Fernandez, Yasiel Puig, Frank Thomas, Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Billy Williams.

Rookie Cards (12) – Greg Bird, Henry Owens, Zach Lee, Brian Johnson, Miguel Sano, Kyle Waldrop, Colin Rea, Tom Murphy, Luis Severino, Frankie Montas, Raul Mondesi, Brandon Drury.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Showing off Superfractors, a non-sports show haul, retro rips and the Rougned Odor-Jose Bautista feud.

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What: 2016 Topps Chrome baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 3
Box basics: Two autographs per 24-pack hobby box; five autographs per 12-pack jumbo box

What's buzz-worthy: This year's Chrome will have all the rainbow shades collectors expect, some rare veteran autos and two autos in every box, but that all might be trumped by the inclusion of 2015 Topps Chrome Carlos Correa Rookie Card autographs as the ink from the reigning American League Rookie of the Year will also be found here.

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

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Don't flip out, but there's a pretty hot base card in 2016 Topps baseball cards because of a great (and controversial) moment and some mainstream media coverage.

It's Jose Bautista's card No. 96 in the set and it's sold on eBay pretty well.

How well? How about $20 well and that one's not alone. There are also bulk lots that are getting attention because it's a memorable moment captured on cardboard. Rarer parallels of the card also are commanding good cash.

The card was shown at the close of MLB Network's Hot Stove morning show and that means it will probably pop up elsewhere, too. Will it continue to be expensive? Of course not -- but the appeal, especially with Blue Jays fans, probably won't diminish.
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>> Click here to buy baseball cards on BlowoutCards.com

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