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 ...

FEELING SUPER
The Card: Nick Swisher 2015 Bowman Chrome Superfractor #129 (1/1)
The Reason Bought: I picked this one up off of a collector friend who grabbed it for me, making this just my second Superfractor for my retired favorite player and my third Super overall (I once pulled one from a Heritage blaster) in years of collecting. There's not a whole lot of grading drama to be had on either the grade or the pop report, but I figured I'd lead things off with the rarest card of the bunch for this edition.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: This is the only one that exists and it had been on the market for literally years online -- I got it for about $3 more than an offer I made for it when it first arrived and was declined. I've never been all that enamored enough to chase any of them, but this one I'm comfortable with since it was not much more than a basic Bowman box typically goes for at suggested retail price even after landing a top grade.

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

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as Blowout Cards' Black November sales are here.

The first wave is here and many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to sit down and ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five boxes/cases that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

THE WEIRD ONE ... WITH BIG POTENTIAL
Ty Cobb Authentic Handwritten Relic box
If you've ever wanted an autograph of MLB legend Ty Cobb but can't afford it, you're not alone. However, these boxes are the home of cut autographs from him and every box has a cut card that showcases a piece of handwriting from the Hall of Famer but at a far lower price than you might expect. The presentation here is pretty solid -- see how it looks in a Buzz Break I did awhile back -- and I'm probably going to do another. Hit that link for more details on what can be found here ... there are other chase elements.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

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: 2020 Topps 52-Card Baseball Series 2 baseball gaming cards
First Buzz preview (Series 1): Click here
Where to buy: Initially via Topps.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2020 Topps Stadium Club baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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

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: 2020 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

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: 2020 Topps Chrome baseball cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Click here (a few formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2020 Topps Big League baseball cards (blaster box)
First Buzz Preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2020 Topps Heritage baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Keep reading to see a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2019 Topps Gallery baseball cards (blaster box)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

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

Continue reading →

This ongoing Collecting Game-used series is one that typically is all about a notable name or an item exactly photo-matched as it was caught in action. This time? It's a little bit of that second one but really with a little more dumb luck involved.

Buzz is on a mailing list for Philadelphia Phillies gamers that include spreadsheets and info on everything the team has up for grabs -- the better the name, the higher the price at most times (especially on the home team) -- and I use their listings to scout opposing players that they can often under-price. Meanwhile, elsewhere out there there are also mystery-bag scenarios for the Phillies where you can pick the date and get a ball (drop-shipped direct from the team) from that game ... but without the choice of which exact ball you get.

This time? I went the mystery route -- a cheaper route -- but after scouting a list where nearly every name out of nearly a dozen was a strong one (a young player with higher-value potential). What happened? Well, I got perhaps one of the worst pairings about who used the ball from that day ... but it was for a super-unique play with super-slow-mo details visible on the Interwebs. So, Phillies picker, while I didn't get a name I wanted ... I salute your selection.

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

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: 2020 Topps Series 2 baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click here

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

Continue reading →

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? Young MLB stars I'd be eyeing on cardboard right now (some obvious choices).

THE NEXT BIG THING ...
New York Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez makes his MLB cardboard debut in 2020 Bowman 1st Edition which will be followed up by the standard 2020 Bowman release soon. The 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic is getting a boatload of attention here -- and the prices on his base cards in this debut release are nutty (for a base card) but justified (given the type of release), so I present a strategy. If you're going to chase him, get one of his parallels instead -- preferably a numbered version. Yes, it will cost you more but it might be a safer long-term hold since they will be rarer than the standard card. If he delivers big, it won't matter -- all will be in demand -- but the numbered stuff will be safer either way. Also a thought? If you can't go there on this one, consider he's got stuff in 2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks and 2019 Elite Extra Edition -- including autographs -- as well as 2019 Leaf Metal Draft.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

Continue reading →

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 box: 2019 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (this and other formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and a gallery of highlights from 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: 2020 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (Target mega box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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: Baseball Power Cube baseball repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Retail outlets ($19.99)

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: 2020 Topps Heritage baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (this and hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 16 (15 standard, one Chrome)
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 138
Base set completion: 
122 of 400 (31 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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: 2020 Topps Heritage baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
67 of 400 (17 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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: 2020 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (Target mega box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 17 (16 standard, one Red parallel pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 119
Base set completion: 
94 of 200 (47 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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: Baseball Power Cube baseball repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Retail outlets ($19.99)

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 Today: Purple parallels are back in 2020 Topps, Ozzie Albies, 2020 Topps Heritage heat, The Modern Wax Fund and more in today's edition.

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: 2019 Topps Holiday baseball cards
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Initially at Walmart; (here when available)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 100
Base set completion: 
91 of 200 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Juan Soto, Justin Verlander, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Anthony Rendon, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Ozzie Albies, Nolan Arenado, Giancarlo Stanton, Corey Seager, Albert Pujols, Noah Syndergaard, CC Sabathia, Anthony Rizzo, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Christian Yelich

Rookie Cards (22) – Fernando Tatis Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Will Smith, Mike Yastrzemski, Spencer Turnbull, Trent Thornton, Luis Arraez, Nate Lowe, Austin Allen, Griffin Canning, Corbin Martin, Jeff McNeil, Taylor Clarke, Ryan Helsley, Nick Anderson, Nicky Lopez, Thairo Estrada, Ryne Harper, Jon Duplantier, Brendan Rodgers, J.D. Hammer, Harold Ramirez

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 Today: World Series chatter, top rookies in Topps Update, debating young MLB duos, big breaks and the last box for the win.

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

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 33
Class 1 set completion: 
16 of 100 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Sandy Koufax, Mariano Rivera, Jose Ramirez, Charlie Blackmon, Noah Syndergaard, Miguel Cabrera, Kris Bryant, Freddie Freeman, Matt Chapman, Jacob deGrom, Roger Clemens, Trea Turner, Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, Max Scherzer, Gleyber Torres

Rookie Cards – None

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: 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 – Nolan Ryan, Clayton Kershaw, Joe Morgan, Josh Bell, Ryan Zimmerman, Freddie Freeman, Noah Syndergaard, Adrian Beltre, Reggie Jackson, Orlando Arcia

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: 2018 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 5 (four standard, one Revolution)
Cards per pack: 5 (three in revolution)
Cards in this box: 23
Base set completion: 
1 of 60 (2 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Harrison Bader

Continue reading →