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 ...

A MONSTER YEAR ...
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Heritage High Number -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: Ohtani had a monster season without even pitching -- first 50-50 Club member for starters and just short of the National League Triple Crown -- and his big-time potential had me submitting some of my RCs for him earlier this year. Did people expect this kind of showing, though? Probably not -- I know I didn't -- but I know Heritage RCs are my preference, so this one made the cut. The bottom corners seem to be the most-common issue with these cards, but this one was clean and so it made my sub -- and I will have two more on the way to grading, too, so you'll see more of this card during the off-season or by next spring.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: The graded volume is high here but perhaps still modest vs. PSA volumes -- I'm good with that -- and this one has only been topped three times. I dig that. This mark isn't that rare but it is one that would be in demand with the two slots below also where many will look.

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

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What: 2022 Bowman University Best football cards
The Reason: The 2024 NFL Draft of course ... but not just this year's draft class.
Box basics: Two autos per box (eight boxes per case)
First Buzz Preview/Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This year's NFL Draft is upon us with Round 1 last night, two more tonight and then the final four on Saturday. Thanks to NIL deals the last few years, it's rare for a notable player to not have cards these days -- at least players from major schools -- and this officially licensed set that's the focus of The List includes a bunch of guys drafted just last night, including the No. 1 pick, as well as a bunch of guys in the NFL right now who were drafted last year. There will likely be more new pros to come tonight, too, but for simplicity's sake we'll look at last night's names and then the first three rounds of last year on this edition of The List. How many made The List from that alone? Almost 30 players in this one -- from just a 100-card set -- with autographs, parallels and more in play.

Keep reading for The List ...

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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 Leaf Metal U.S. Army All-American Bowl football cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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