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 ...

BAD IN BLACK!
The Card: Julio Rodriguez 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter X
The Reason Graded: I ripped a pair of these boxes and haven't even sniffed at the regular stuff -- a first for me in its run since 2006 when I used to clear everything I saw on every shelf -- but instead I opted to grade a couple of key pulls from this and other postseason releases with notable newcomers in play. Why this one? It just looked perfect even vs. others I pulled -- and since I only pulled one and have really no plans at this moment to even dabble with regular Ginter I put it into my bulk sub.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: CSG may have a flub in its system as this didn't even show in the pop report (perhaps it was tagged as a regular card) but I'll present it here* with what I know ... and that's that I know at least this one exists. He's the face of 2023 Topps, so he's on the minds of a few fans right now -- and that's why he's batting lead-off despite this pop report anomaly.

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

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less 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.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... a mix of recent finds and some from throughout last year.

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LEADING OFF WITH A BARGAIN ... 
The Item: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. autographed 2019 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby 8-by-1o photo (Topps Authentics)
The Price: Around $80 (regularly $130)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This autograph is one I've never bothered with on cardboard mostly for how it typically looks (it's not the greatest sig) but also because the stock-pilers have stayed busy grabbing them up as he's one of MLB's better young hitters today and he's not cheap. I landed this with a sale combined with some discount certificates on one of the sites that Fanatics populates and went here since that price was strong and the image isn't bad -- it's from his dominating Derby showing where he didn't win but wowed many. This was cheaper than most if not all autos from where I typically buy most often ... and those were sticker autos. I'll probably go this route for ink of notables (or singles in some instances) vs. ripping to chase 'em with pack prices these days. Pro tip: Just because a box is old doesn't mean the autographs just vanish ... hunt him from 2016 prospect stuff forward and Rookie Cards/ink in 2019 forward.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one but MLB cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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. 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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IS HE THE ONE?
The Item: Julio Rodriguez 2022 Topps Heritage High Number Clubhouse Collection Gold Relics (/99)
The Price: $149.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: With the absolute deluge of December MLB releases that appear to be just the start of a busy off-season with more still to come, I've played the waiting game on opening boxes on almost all -- but not all -- of them. One I have opened was this one, Heritage High, as it impressed me on its rookie volume (some RCs, some guys who had 2021s) and the appearance of the J-Rod stuff to be found. Why Heritage? It's more my old-guy flagship release each year ... though the 1970s designs are easily my least-favorite of all of the past decades so far and even of those to come. But the images on his cards are solid ... and this is a good example. Sure, it's pricey, but this card is a needle in a haystack in terms of pulling it and it's pricey -- but not that pricey -- vs. a lot of stuff. Heritage rookies are not going to be all that expensive in High Number as you come very close to a base set in every hobby box ... but I like that. It lets you do some old-fashioned stockpiling with the challenge really being clean copies that can be graded. (I plan to already and will ... yes, on base.) This one is a solid piece for an iconic 2022 player with potential and a long-term commitment from the team. I'll probably kick myself later for not grabbing this particular card or something like it. But I'll be watching them.
Similar Pieces: Other Julio Rodriguez Heritage cards on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2022 Topps Heritage High Number

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

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