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 item: Cincinnati Reds Authentics mystery memorabilia bag
Where to buy: A past weekend deal via Reds Authentics ... BlowoutCards.com for MLB releases

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

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A new MLB season is here and that means more brand-new game-used memorabilia pieces to come -- or, really, already piling up -- as games from the spring and beyond happen.

One of those items that can be especially messy and colorful this time of year? The lineup card -- an item where you can find names early in their careers or perhaps late tries at one last go before a season where a veteran may not even play. Sometimes they can be hand-written, sometimes they can be printed and then heavily modified. And, like I said, they can get messy in the spring with plenty of guys in and out of games. These items often aren't super-impressive, but they can get pretty cheap -- I've seen them as low as $10 in the past. But, they can also can be pricey with player autographs and authentication attached. (Manager autos can sometimes arrive sort of "free" as part of the cost.)

Lineup cards can be a simple pick-up -- any card for any game for your player or your team -- or you could make it a challenge and try to find only cards where your player hit a homer, got a win, or a hit and so on. This time? It was one of those ... but it also was a card with a little more -- a detail that I didn't think about when checking a player game log.

You can keep reading to see the details.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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ZION! ZION! ZION!
The Item: Kobe Bryant & Zion Williamson 2019-20 NBA Hoops Art Signatures dual-auto (BGS 9.5/10)
The Price: $99,999.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card is an interesting one in that, unless there was some other seriously advanced-planning signing sessions last year, it will absolutely never happen again making it an even more amazing (and somber) creation. This is one of the rarest inclusions in hobby boxes of 2019-20 NBA Hoops with on-card autographs of the future Hall of Famer gone too soon and the rookie who has dominated the league so far this year. Williamson just recently posted a career-high scoring night -- and more are likely on the way as he is putting up a more-than-respectable scoring streak. Any and all Zion ink will be in demand more than ever -- and this one might hold up as one of the the biggest autos of them all no matter what one-of-a-kind high-end stuff might be coming. This came out of a super-affordable flagship-style Hoops pack and it's a classic. I don't see it getting that BIN price, but I could see some big, big offers. Right now it's the highest of just two copies graded ... and we have no idea how many more might even have been signed.
Similar Pieces: Zion Williamson autographs on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019-20 NBA Hoops hobby boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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Sometimes, it's just dumb luck.

That's the lesson of this month's Collecting Game-used item. In short, this baseball had been sitting on my desk a while now -- I picked it up via a grab bag/mystery box via Fanatics for a cheap price (less than two blasters) -- and figured I'd finally do a photo check for the players noted on its MLB Authentication.

It had three names attached but none that made me really want to go look -- the downside of a mystery box -- but it turned out to be a jaw-dropper thanks to details mentioned in info from the photographer who's noted above. This swing from Wilmer Difo came in the eighth inning -- his only swing of the at-bat -- that made this one a match.

You can keep reading to see the full details ... and the ball in action.

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This one is a quick idea for 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 something to think about.

This time? Five MLB items fans should own ... or beginners could use.

SOMETHING DIRTY...
Game-used and fully authenticated MLB dirt is seemingly everywhere and it's often not expensive at all -- yet I'd bet a lot of collectors who consider their stashes to be on the "serious" side don't have anything dirty in them at all. Dirt Relics have been in play in a few brands in the past with one of them being 2019 Topps Opening Day as you can see here. You can find sealed miniature bottles of MLB authenticated dirt from team sites on MLB.com, framed displays that include small capsules embedded into them and, yes, some baseball cards. Heck, I've even seen dirt loaded into writing pens tied to teams. Most of these items aren't aren't that expensive and you can pretty much collect authenticated dirt from all stadiums or even key events like World Series or All-Star Games if you hunt online. (MLB is big on dirt and using it.) You easily can start a small mystery box for your team's fan with something like this and add to it ... keep reading.

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Game-used collectors have been seriously spoiled since the arrival of the MLB Authentication program back in 2001 (I'm one of them), but there are still items that are fully authenticated that require more research for their full story to be known.

This is one of those pieces.

Sometimes, items can't be photo-matched to photos or videos because there are no obvious features or personalized touches that can make them stand out from others. However, for my final item of the year in this Collecting Game-used series, I present to you an item that I recently found that needed a little more research despite it having the coveted MLBA sticker -- but it has those obvious features. In fact, it's a piece that has so many unique features that I was able to track those touches and decipher its lifetime of use. (Well, at least as much as one can without official word from a player to know their uniform habits or info from an equipment manager, who would have been responsible for inventory and replacement of pieces when requested.)

In the case of this Cleveland Indians batting helmet, it was authenticated merely as a "team-issued" piece by MLBA in April 2014. However, the obvious use it shows is from continued play and a distinct lack of maintenance and cleaning (as likely requested by the player). It turns out to be from the entire previous season -- and that was a successful one for the team as it made it to the postseason for just the third time during the 2000s at that point. This helmet's grass, chips, impressive layers of pine tar and other marks can be documented in photos before it was taken out of storage and into collector hands.

Keep reading to see the details ... and the item in action.

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Not all gamers are super-impressive. In fact, some are nearly anonymous but since they are tied to a certain player there can be more appeal than other items that might look just like it.

This month's game-used piece? Well, it's the game-used ball above -- and it's arguably the least-impressive item of the bunch in this series so far but it's also one that cost less than the price of two blaster boxes and was in a mystery box from Fanatics. This one's all about some timing.

So, this time, we'll bring this ball's life back to life -- as least as best we can -- with its key player attached being Washington Nationals veteran Ryan Zimmerman, who had a pretty solid game on Monday and whose Nats career could be coming to an end this year.

You can keep reading to see the details.

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Spring training items can be The Forgotten Ones when it comes to game-used stuff like jerseys, scorecards and bases. The jerseys can sometimes have numbers we don't associate with big names later (Do they count? Some say no.), while the scorecards can be messes of ink that kill all the fun details as the entire young roster gets to play while the stars are riding pine or not traveling at all. (Then there are the dreaded split-squad games ... don't get Buzz started there.)

But game-used bases? Well, they often don't get as much love as they do in-season, but they also might get used longer than the typical three-inning lifetime that's the norm for teams that sell them -- sometimes bringing them directly to fans' seats after they are bought in-game. That can mean you get more dirt, more grime and more moments attached to your game-used piece.

The base you see here? It's my first and it caught my attention mostly because of its price -- spring gamers can be cheaper, too -- but a glance at the box score and one player's game log made this one a no-brainer buy.

Keep reading to see the details ...

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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: 2019 Topps Tribute baseball cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 3
Cards in this box: 19
Base set completion: 
11 of 90 (12 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Roger Maris, Giancarlo Stanton, Bo Jackson, Mookie Betts, Bob Feller, Aaron Judge, Roberto Clemente, Justin Verlander, Edwin Diaz, Rhys Hoskins, Freddie Freeman

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They can't all be the longballs.

In fact, most game-used baseballs that arrive into collectors' hands are far from that. They're often the near-anonymous pitch in the dirt or an even worse (unless you collect pitchers) swing-and-miss that touched absolutely nothing but leather.

But this one from Curtis Granderson? It's a bit different -- and the video I found researching this one shows you nearly every step in the life of this baseball.

You can keep reading to see the details ... and the ball in action.

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As said last month, not all game-used baseballs are the same, despite the fact that they're all a pair of leather panels with 108 stitches holding it all together.

And this one is not like last month's ball at all.

This one arrived via a Boston Red Sox mystery box over on MLBShop.com with the only guarantees that this one would be MLB Authenticated and could be from any time between 2013 and 2017 -- that first season being one where the Sox won the World Series.

You can keep reading to see the details ...

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Not all game-used baseballs are the same, despite the fact that they're all a pair of leather panels with 108 stitches holding it all together.

Some are hits or other big plays -- others are beanballs -- but many are fouled off or even semi-meaningless pitches in the dirt that quickly get discarded from play in favor for a cleaner ball that won't act erratically when they fly due to foreign substances.

The ball you see here? It was used for less than two minutes two summers ago by emerging Atlanta Braves star Mike Foltynewicz, who'll make his MLB debut for this season this weekend. This ball was used for just under two minutes -- just five pitches -- before it ended up in a Fanatics game-used ball mystery box.

You can keep reading to see the details ...

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David Robertson will soon take the mound for just his third big-league franchise as the closer on a Philadelphia Phillies team that includes one of MLB's biggest stars as well as a number of young players all looking for one thing.

A World Series ring.

Robertson got one of those a decade ago when he was in just his second year with the New York Yankees. Since then, he's racked up 137 saves (11th-best among active players once Craig Kimbrel re-signs) and despite that success he's not the easiest player to collect. Want a certified autograph card of him in any MLB uniform? It doesn't exist. That alone should be enough to have you reacting like this.

But that's where a little collecting game-used comes in ... at least for my collection.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year 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. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around they're varied but also pretty cheap. (The way Buzz likes it.)

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TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MINOR FLAWS
The Card: Calvin Ridley 2018 Panini Obsidian Cutting Edge Relics Electric Etch Orange #CE-14 (/35)
The Price: $7
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a nice card of a strong rookie from a funky brand that didn't break the bank because it's got a few minor flaws that aren't that uncommon with thick-stock memorabilia cards. That's fine because they don't take away from the feel of what is a different kind of card that shows Panini is trying some things with die-cutting designs. It was that process that led to some compression wrinkling on a back edge and a spots on the top front edge, but I still liked it enough to pick up. Ridley had flashes of brilliance during his rookie season that included 64 catches for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns and I'm a buyer when they're on the cheap because I think there's some potential for more here. (Memorabilia cards can be cheap buys for football because they are often plentiful -- yet they are a fun alternative to pricey autographs in my book.) This is a brand that includes some big stuff -- far bigger than what my tastes are focused on. It's worth a look.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Panini Obsidian NFL boxes

Keep reading for five more interesting items ...

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A top prospect and the reigning National League MVP will be there ... and dealers and distributors out there should be, too.

Topps' second Industry Conference is set for next week at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., and registrations ($250) are still available for the event beginning on Sunday.

Set in the heart of the Cactus League, this event will include several speakers during the three-day duration of this one with San Diego Padres prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. a signing guest for the opening reception Sunday and Christian Yelich to be on hand Monday night. There also will be gifts for each day of attendance.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the schedule as provided by Topps.

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Brandon Nimmo's path to Major League Baseball and a spot in the New York Mets lineup is far from a traditional one as he grew up in Wyoming where playing high school baseball isn't even an option.

He's a product of American Legion play -- and already a Hall of Famer there -- but that didn't stop him from being taken 13th in the 2011 MLB Draft and making his big-league debut three years ago at age 23. Nimmo, whose first prospect cards can be found in 2011 releases and who has just three Rookie Cards from 2016, was one of the Mets' bright spots last season with 17 homers in 140 games while hitting .263. The homers were third on the team behind Michael Conforto, Todd Frazier and Asdrubal Cabrera ... but that's not why we're here today.

Nimmo led all of MLB with 22 HBPs -- and the ball you see above connected for one last season.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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FINALE OR LAUNCHING PAD?
The Item: Patrick Mahomes II 2017 Panini Absolute Football Rookie Premiere Triple Materials (/149)
The Price: $450 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This weekend is either the finale to a huge season or a launching pad further into the stratosphere as Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots with the winner headed to the Super Bowl. It's the new big name against the guy who's basically the greatest of all time -- or at worst the greatest of his time -- and these are players commanding nothing but big bucks on cardboard. This card? It's on the lower side of the Buy-It-Now options out there -- see the link below for Crazy Town pricing on eBay
Similar Pieces: Patrick Mahomes autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2017 NFL boxes (he's in many of them)

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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Veteran artist Monty Sheldon's Artballs are coming to collectors in a new way soon.

Just 15 boxes of Piece of the Game Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces will now arrive in late March with each of them containing 10 blind-wrapped autographed game-used baseballs adorned with his colorful artwork inside.

They're all one-of-a-kind paintings on MLB Authenticated signed and game-used baseballs except for one which will be a ball signed by Babe Ruth on its sweet spot.

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Wade LeBlanc's career numbers probably won't shock you, but the left-hander has been good enough long enough to stick around in Major League Baseball for a decade.

This journeyman has been a Padre, a Marlin, an Astro, an Angel, a Yankee, an Angel again, a Blue Jay, a Mariner, a Pirate, a Yankee again and a Mariner once again in 10 MLB seasons. In the right here right now, you'll see him leading the headlines on the Seattle Mariners section of MLB.com as he struck out a career-high 10 batters last night as he upped his career record to 36-36. He's 6-1 with a 3.44 ERA and 76 strikeouts this season and is on pace for a career year in wins (8-12 his best back in 2010) and strikeouts (110 that same year).

Along the way to this point, though, he's also played elsewhere. He's been a Buffalo Bison, a Seibu Lion (yes, Japan), a Salt Lake Bee, an Oklahoma City RedHawk, a New Orleans Zephyr, a Tucson Padre, a Portland Beaver, a San Antonio Mission, a Lake Elsinore Storm(er?), a Fort Wayne Wizard and a Eugene Emerald.

But why are you hearing all of this about a guy who's gone from starter to bullpen guy and back to starter but still ultimately a common in any baseball card parlance?

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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: Fanatics Texas Rangers game-used baseball mystery box
The cost: $39.95

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

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

NOT A ROOKIE CARD ... BUT, WHOA, IS IT SELLING LIKE ONE
The Item: 2012 Topps Heritage #207 Mike Trout 
The Price: They're all pretty impressive -- both past and present
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Mike Trout doesn't have a Heritage Rookie Card but this one arrived a year later and it's selling like one both raw and graded. PSA 10 copies of this card have topped $300 while four-card raw lots have sold for as much as $250 recently. It's not short-printed but this collector never pulled one back then -- oddly -- when I pulled a few copies of pretty much everything else. You know what else is rare these days? Affordable 2012 Heritage hobby boxes and even retail boxes despite the rookie crop not being a strong one at all. (See the link below for a Hot Tip shot at some hobby packs to get in on this chase.) This card will be one to watch -- it's all over the place right now but selling way better than it should be -- as Heritage is the basic set for many of us retro-minded collectors to chase on an annual basis. The high-grade copies of this one aren't that easy -- centering and chipping can be an issue with this set -- so that's definitely driving some of the demand for this one but he's also a top player in MLB and this card does have a ton of natural appeal. Supply and demand has taken over here -- with a dash of crazy sauce, too -- but it tastes pretty good if you own a few of these. 
Similar Pieces: Other Mike Trout stuff on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2012 Topps Value boxes with two H packs in each one

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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There aren't any pinstripes, but it's the first.

It's the New York Yankees jersey that Miguel Andújar wore for his MLB debut and it's on the market via Steiner Auctions for the next four days where it could command some serious cash.

So far?

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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 Hour 8.

The box: Fanatics Authentic Houston Astros game-used baseball mystery box
The cost: $39.95

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

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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HOW ABOUT THIS OHTANI?
The Item: 2018 Topps Inception Jumbo Patch Autograph Shohei Ohtani 1/1
The Price: $50,000 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Inception is a fun memorabilia-laced creation and this card is among the biggest in the product that arrived just yesterday. Ohtani appears on just 10 cards in the product -- three un-numbered versions and the rest rarer than 25 copies -- and this is one of two 1/1s in the release for this super-hot international star. Will that asking price be met? I doubt it, but it's a nice card.
Similar Pieces: Other 2018 Topps Inception singles on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 Topps Inception boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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You may have seen a few of these Fanatics mystery boxes pop up from time to time here on The Buzz. It's a new kick of mine to add a little variety to the Buzz Break lineup on the cheap but with a little more flash -- or at least some curiosity -- than the typical blaster box. (Don't worry, we'll still have plenty of those.)

As you can probably tell, this box looks a little different than the game-used MLB baseball mystery boxes that I've been busting here. This was a one-time deal to add a little something different to my personal stash -- also something even cheaper than the baseballs -- and something different to present here. And it highlighted not only differences between sports but also differences in how leagues can even handle authentication because of those simple differences.

If you didn't figure it out from the headline, it's a game-used hockey puck.

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