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 CAREER YEAR
The Card: Dansby Swanson 2017 Topps Heritage #76B action variation SP -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Bought: I'm a sucker for Heritage RCs and multi-player cards from the past, but I've never really chased the SPs that have been immensely popular since around this year where a few key names went solo from their card counterparts and have cards of their own -- both signed and unsigned. I had Swanson stashed on my fantasy league all season (mostly on the bench behind a favorite of mine you see here often) and saw the career year as it was happening. I had been eyeing this card for years now -- I own plenty of the regular ones as well as a couple of the Chrome types (I might slab those) -- and grabbed this awhile back. With the Braves' World Series showing, I figured I'd have him batting lead-off here ... and he won't be alone from the ATL here this month.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I wasn't really worried about the pop report but I also didn't realize there were so few cards above this one. I will stash this one away with my Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. slabs I've picked up or slabbed on my own the last couple years like I suspect many have and will be doing. I probably need to slab some of their pitchers and you might see a Freddie Freeman Heritage card or two here in the future. (I lean toward the new guys more but have had some good Heritage pulls.)

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

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: The Braves are a win away from taking the World Series, Austin Riley, NFL chatter and pulls, Ja'Marr Chase and more.

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: The World Series, NFL Week 8, NHL cancellations and delays, big breaks and ... Kobe or LeBron?

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

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

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A FORGOTTEN ONE?
2020 Topps Baseball UK Edition baseball box
Maybe it's just because I never ripped this one -- or, heck, even saw it -- last year, but this box with a pretty big discount feels like it needs to be here as you should get a number of parallel cards in every one and there's a decent shot at key names being among them as it's only a 200-card set. I recently grabbed the one basic RC I wanted to land here but there are parallels and even autographs in play here as ell as a mix of UK Icons inserts also with parallels. With 240 cards in a box if the collation is clean you should come pretty close at landing a good chunk of it all. This one's in my cart as I type ... I need to scout even more after I finish this piece.

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

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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 Panini Chronicles Draft Picks basketball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby and FOTL right now)

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

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What: 2020-21 Panini One and One NBA cards
Arrives: Dec. 8
Box basics: One encased on-card autograph and one other card per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: One hits the hardwood with a little extra -- that's the "and One" part -- with the same formula for a second season in a row with plenty of rookies and other highlights that are celebrated within this release

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: World Series chatter, Heritage MiLB arrives, pondering the NBA Rookie of the Year (already), a college football question, WWE and NFL Week 8 all in this one.

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: NFL over-reactions, World Series chatter, NBA threads worth a look, big pulls and more.

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What: 2021 Panini National Treasures baseball cards
Arrives: Nov. 12
Box basics: Eight autographs or memorabilia cards -- including one booklet -- per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: National Treasures baseball cards will arrive for the eighth time with new rookies, all-time greats and plenty of the inclusions expected from the brand.

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

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What: 2021 Panini XR football cards
Arrives: Nov. 24
Box basics: Two autographs and one memorabilia card per 14-card box (14 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: XR hits the gridiron for another go with the familiar three hits per box and a 1/1 autographed card in every case.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection UFC
Arrives: Dec. 8
Box basics: Three autographs and two memorabilia cards per six-card box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Immaculate Collection gets its turn in the Octagon with nearly nothing but hits inside its debut boxes with everything limited to no more than 99 copies.

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

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World Wrestling Entertainment has a new tag team partner in Panini America.

Beginning in 2022, Panini will be the exclusive card- and sticker-maker for WWE, ending Topps' current run with the company that began in 2005. It was described as a multi-year deal.

“We have always been intrigued by WWE as a license partner and their fans’ incredible passion,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop in a prepared release. “Our entire team is looking forward to adding WWE, a truly iconic license, to our roster of exclusive partners. We have big plans for our WWE portfolio and the new heights we can help WWE trading cards and stickers reach in the collectibles arena.”

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What: 2021 Panini NFL Five trading card game
Arrives: Dec. 29
Box basics: 24 10-card packs per box (12 boxes per case); Five parallels and two marker cards per 57-card starter deck (10 per box; four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Panini's NFL TCGs return for another go with a familiar look and approach that includes Epics and Swirl-O-Ramas among the chase cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five NFL players who impressed Buzz in Week 7.

BIG CATS IN CINCY
Ja'Marr Chase -- WR, Bengals (Rookie Cards in 2021 boxes)
QB Joe Burrow had a day but that's almost to be expected but Chase had a monster showing with eight catches on 10 targets good for 201 yards and a score. All are career-highs except for the TDs but that's not a big deal as he's establishing himself as big deal on a team with big potential. His RCs this year are probably overlooked compared to others among this year's crop but a game like that will change things in a hurry. His 754 yards for the year are the most through seven games in NFL history for a rookie so that clearly puts him on pace for records by season's end if he maintains. With a young star QB that's a good recipe for cardboard success.

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

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What: 2021 Panini Prizm NASCAR cards
Arrives: Nov. 5
Box basics: Four autographs per 12-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Prizm arrives at the end of the season with the same configuration and suggested retail price but with new touches and plenty of color and textures to chase.

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

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: Joe Burrow vs. Justin Herbert, NFL chatter, a hot mega box break, a possible MLB lockout and ... "Is LeBron even a Top Five all-time player?"

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: The Atlanta Braves are heading to the World Series, NBA at 75, redemption chatter, breaks and more.

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: Astros are World Series bound, pondering the NBA at 100, a big 1/1 Aoki Chrome soccer pull, inside a Star Trek case and more.

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: Chris Taylor powers the Dodgers, a thread to see, NFL chatter, NBA at 75 honors and more.

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Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five names in the news you could collect

MR. MVP?
Eddie Rosario, OF, Atlanta Braves: With Atlanta a win away from the World Series it's been this guy who has been a surprising and dominating performer for a team loaded with young and popular options for collecting. He's not that -- he's a trade grab earlier this year -- but he doesn't have a lot of past cards at key points (first prospect and Rookie Cards) and that makes for an easier and cheaper (so far) option to collect somebody on a heater. He's a free agent after this season ends but he's been playing so well that could mean he stays or dollar signs if he goes. He had a two-homer game last night (the second homer spoiled his chance at the cycle) and it was his second four-hit game of the NLCS (10-for-17) where he's hitting .588. He doesn't have a boatload of cards overall and has Rookie Cards in just five 2015 releases -- Bowman Chrome, Topps Update, Topps Chrome Update, Topps Heritage High Number and then an auto-mem RC in National Treasures limited to 99 copies. His Bowman Draft debut was way back in 2010 and his only other prospect cards that year are in Pro Debut. His stuff isn't super-pricey but his playing so well should mean more of the rarer stuff gets posted out there if you're looking.

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

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: New pulls, favorite multi-player cards, Derrick Henry, Project70, Pacific and more.

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It's not a card that will make you rich, it's not one that will change your life -- but it's one that is a bit of a finale while also being a first.

It's a Rookie Card -- and it finishes up a tale that started, for me, months ago when I documented the cardboard enigma that is Chris Boucher, a center for the Toronto Raptors who has had quite a journey to an everyday spot in the league and and an odd one when it comes to cardboard.

His first season? Not one card -- but that made sense as he played just one minute in one game, though there are players who have done less and had more cardboard. His second season? Nope, not at least until the season was over.

Keep reading for the details of this oddity.

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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 Donruss NFL cards (hanger)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

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

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Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five NFL players who impressed Buzz in Week 6.

HOW 'BOUT THEM PICKS?
Trevon Diggs -- CB, Cowboys (Rookie Cards in 2020 boxes)
Defensive stars rarely appear here -- it seems like most buyers just don't dig even the most tenacious of D when it comes to cardboard -- but if you're wanting to collect without breaking the bank then those guys on defense can make for some easier chases at times. This guy? He might not apply right now on that cheaper part of the equation, but he's doing things that make him get noticed and all you had to do was look at the last few minutes of the fourth quarter on Sunday between the Cowboys and Patriots. His league-leading seventh interception of the year was a pick-six off his old Alabama teammate Mac Jones -- and he's one of four players in league history to have an interception in six consecutive games to start a season. (The first since 2003.) His seven picks though six games is something only previously done by Hall of Famer Rod Woodson back in 1993. He has a lot of rookie-year cardboard last year and actually had stuff in USA Football sets in 2015, but his best pieces will be the cardboard in his Cowboys colors and perhaps some with full sigs vs. his simplified TD signature. He's having a big year -- so now may not be the best time to chase -- but now will likely be the time where the better stuff shows up on the market.

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

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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 a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: Dodgers vs. Braves, NFL Week 6 chatter, Urban Meyer, pondering the boom and more in this edition.

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