What: 2025 Topps Update baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 29
Box basics: One auto or Relic per 20-pack hobby box (12 per case) or one auto and two Relics per 10-pack jumbo box (six per case)
Odds: TBD
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The full hobby details for the Update series of Topps' flagship baseball cards are still to come, but the box subject has been teased and it's Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images for this one once they are available.

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What: 2025 Leaf Spectacular baseball cards
Arrives: Nov. 28
Box basics: Five "premium hits" and one base card per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: A new line in the Leaf Trading Cards lineup promises to pack out some of the biggest names in baseball history with legendary booklets, plenty of ink and a lot of memorabilia showcasing past and present stars.

Keep reading for more.

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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 pack: 1988 Fleer baseball cello pack
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for other Retro Rips

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

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

NINES ARE FINE
The Card: Aaron Judge 2017 Topps Archives -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: The unique 1960 Topps design always stands out to me. Why? Because one of my first clean vintage cards as a kid was a Gus Bell form the set, which I got since I knew he was a big-leaguer's dad. (Yay, trivia!) So that's perhaps one reason I held this Judge RC instead of letting it go. (Plus, I didn't rip as much of this brand ... so it was the only copy I pulled.) Judge's dominating 2025 season should make you stop and wonder about slabbing any RCs or early/rare stuff you have now ... just because. He and Shohei Ohtani are all-timers playing right in front of our faces now and are as safe as it gets when it comes to grab and slab or buy and hold -- even with plenty of their cards being graded.
The Grade: CGC 9

Reality Check: I knew this wouldn't be a 10 contender with the finicky stock here and the centering being a smidge off by my typical standards for a slab, but, like I said, it was my only copy. Most check in at this grade, so the nine makes sense, too, and the volume below it also shows this card isn't the easiest to grade.

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

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What: 2024 Leaf Vivid baseball cards
Arrives: March 2025
Box basics: Five autos per seven-card box (10 per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: The third edition of this colorful Leaf line includes some new creations such as a classic combo from the reel world seen above as well as plenty of the stars of the past and present on the field.

Keep reading for more.

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What's Buzzing: Collecting goals for 2025, pondering what Shohei Ohtani can do next, NFL Week 17, Rickey Henderson and more in this one.

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What's Buzzing: New Barry Bonds ink, continuing top MLB player debates, new pulls, Rickey Henderson and more in this Monday edition.

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What's Buzzing: Remembering Rickey Henderson, NFL Week 16 chatter, Paul Goldschmidt to the Yankees and more in this Sunday edition.

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There's been plenty of focus on ballots -- justifiably as it's November in a presidential election year -- but Buzz completed a collecting project this week that was all about them. It's one that's easy to do in whatever way you want to do it ... and without breaking the bank.

What was it? I completed a career run of my player's appearances on MLB All-Star ballots -- and I did it with just a couple clicks.

It's complete by year but I'm still at least one ballot short of a master list -- at least that as I know of thanks to those pesky parallels that are apparently a thing here, too. Some years have a ballpark version of the ballot and then a sponsored one to be found out there in the real world. Why? Well, back in the day voting wasn't exclusively done online, so selected companies would have ballots at their stores. For example, for some odd reason way, way, back in the 1990s I remember MLB ballots at Subway, but that doesn't apply here ... not this time.

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What: 2024 Topps 206 baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 3 via Topps.com
Box basics: Four packs per box ... one autograph per four-box case
Checklist: Click here
Order: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Topps revisits T206 tobacco cards for a fifth edition but this time around it arrives with four-box cases that will guarantee an autograph.

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

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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: 2024 Leaf In The Game Used Sports cards
Arrives: Oct. 30
Box basics: Five hits per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's multi-sport premium brand once again takes on the entire sports world with a mix of notable possibilities from the legends of the past to recent superstars all in one spot -- and this time, according to Leaf, it will be "the most-exciting, value-driven and content-filled version to date."

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

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What: 2024 Leaf Electrum Baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 30
Box basics: Four autographed cards per seven-card box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf brings its new line to the diamond with a mix of MLB newcomers, top amateurs on NIL deals, newly drafted players and past legends all together with ink the main -- but not only -- inclusion in this colorful release.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery.

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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 ...

MAMI'S HOME ...
The Card: Rhea Ripley 2020 Topps Chrome WWE Gold Refractor Autographs (/50) -- rookie-year auto
The Reason Graded: I picked up this one a few years ago for a pretty modest price -- about the price of a box back then -- and since then Ripley has emerged as the top name among a newer wave of stars who, barring injuries, should be helping redefine women's wrestling for some time. I had this one in my get-graded stacks for a long time as I don't often slab up auto cards -- I don't like surprises -- but I did it on this one and a standard auto earlier this year since they looked quite clean.
The Grade: CGC 10 (Pristine) with 10 auto

Reality Check: As good as it gets and this card is a monster as it is. A raw copy pushed $500 not that long ago and a PSA 9 sold for that much as well earlier this year. A perfect 10 absolutely works for me on this one ... it's the best color here if you ask me, too.

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

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What: 2024 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures New York Pinstripes Autographed Baseballs
Arrives: May 1
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures brand hits the diamond once again with its focus on one of MLB's most-historic franchises, the New York Yankees.

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What: 2024 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum autographed baseballs
Arrives: March 13
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed baseball chase brand hits the field for another year with some big chase baseballs -- think legends of the game -- and then a varied mix of stuff in every case.

The biggest chase of them all this year? Keep reading for that and a gallery of what's in this one.

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What: 2024 Leaf Sports Heroes trading cards
Arrives: January
Box basics: Three "premium signatures" per box (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Sports Heroes returns to the Leaf lineup with a mix of elite names from all around the sports world all arriving as Metal autographs in a number of shades.

Keep reading for more.

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

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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SCHOOL COLORS & MORE
2022 Bowman's Best University Football Hobby
It might be the season talking, but this box jumped out at me among the sales ranks as it's relatively new, includes a bunch of stars playing on Saturdays (thanks to NIL deals they're in here) and some notables who are now playing on Sundays right now, too. There are two Chrome autos per box here as well as quite a bit of insert and parallel potential, too, without breaking the bank. Sure, with a deeper checklist and names who won't be pros until later, there will be some leaner boxes than others -- like anything, really -- but with full logos, NIL guys, Chrome and parallels this one might have a shelf life a little longer than others in terms of popular players emerging on the fields and on collectors' minds. Among autos here? The last two Heisman Trophy winners, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams, along with Jordan Addison, Anthony Richardson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Heisman favorite J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Jordan Addison, C.J. Stroud and more ... and there are multi-player autos to find, too.

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: 2022 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.

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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 ... 

TWO OF A KIND ...
The Cards: Nick Chubb 2018 Panini Playoff & 2018 Panini Playoff Autographs -- Rookie Card/parallel
The Reason Graded: I bought a lot of this brand back then because it was simple in its inclusions, jammed with rookies, had a pretty simple design frame and, well, because it was cheap and widely available out in the retail wild. The textures used on the designs as you can see down low here are interesting but also a drawback as issues can blend in there, too, and the stock was perhaps a little soft when it comes to those corners and some edges. Because of that scenario, I sent in a base RC along with the autograph that I went out and previously bought raw because Chubb has been an overlooked dominator in the league. He was just four yards short of 1,000 as a rookie and has racked up four 1,000-yard seasons since with 6,447 yards and 48 TDs in 76 career games. Among all active NFL players, he was third in rushing yards before his injury trailing only the obvious big name, Derrick Henry, and then Ezekiel Elliott who is likely at a crossroads this year ... deliver or be done. Both of those guys are also two years older in terms of NFL time.
The Grades: CSG 9

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Reality Check: They both checked in at my ideal minimum here and even getting a 9.5 might be challenge based on these sparse pop numbers. I'm sure there are countless other Chubb RC scenarios slabbers look at before this one ... it's just one of my favorite Chubb debut cards. This was prepped before his injury so that's a bummer ... but I still dig this card a lot.

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

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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 packs: 1987 Topps baseball (two racks)
Where to buy: Check junk bins ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer MLB cards

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

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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: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

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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: 2022 Topps Gallery baseball cards (blaster)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (all formats)

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

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What: 2023 Leaf History Book Sports Edition Chapter 1 sports cards
Arrives: December
Box basics: Two booklet cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf offers up nothing but booklet cards in its newest high-end multi-sport release -- a mix of multi-player autograph and memorabilia groupings from around the sports world all in one spot.

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

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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 packs: 1987 Topps baseball (two racks)
Where to buy: Check junk bins ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer MLB cards

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

Continue reading →