This one is 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 perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five players/groups that are looking pretty good as we start the second half of the MLB season.

WATCHING THE JUNIORS ...
The big rookies of the last few years are seemingly all paying off right now in different ways ... and that is a good thing for collectors, whether they just do the raw stuff or chase slabs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may have ended the All-Star festivities with an MVP award and that big home run, but let's not forget that just before Shohei Ohtani took over as the primary headliner heading into the break Vladdy was putting on a big show ... the kind that will move cardboard. He's still a Triple Crown contender right now with a .332 average, 28 homers (second to Ohtani) and an MLB-leading 73 RBI. Meanwhile in the NL, Fernando Tatis Jr. has overcome those injury scares from earlier in the year and has a league-leading 28 homers, league-leading 20 SBs and is hitting .286. Could a spot in the exclusive 40-40 Club happen by year's end? Even Ronald Acuña Jr. cardboard should have some appeal right now -- he was having another strong year before it ended due to injury. This is the time to be buying hard if you are a believer and people are in sell mode, especially on rarer stuff. They all have Rookie Cards in either 2018 or 2019 releases with big stuff to chase across the board. Acuña is my favorite of the three, but there will be dips (like I said, time to buy) but I think Vladdy is the top one of the bunch -- and that's regardless of the All-Star showing. Tatis has been a top seller for some time now but I'm not sure if we have seen a Vladdy peak in terms of on-field and then cardboard.

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

Continue reading →

You never know what you might find in a box at the big show ... and this year there's even more included as bonus items in the big box.

What box is that? It's the 2021 Blowout MegaMix and you can pre-order one now to have delivered at home or grab now to pick up at the show of all shows, the National Sports Collectors Convention starting on July 28 and running until Aug. 1 in Chicago.

What's in it?

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: Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the year, a huge first-box pull, showing off Gold Refractors, new MLB breaks, The National and checking in on The Giannis Thread.

Continue reading →

Update (July 4): You can now potentially find one of four VIP passes to this event within this year's Blowout MegaMix boxes.

--

The National's first side event this year has been revealed -- and it's coming via Onyx Authenticated.

On the Thursday night of the show (July 29), the company and its VIP ticket holders will take over the Dave & Busters in Rosemont, Ill., for a three-hour Onyx Authenticated VIP Party with guests including baseball Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Fergie Jenkins as well as NFL stars Frank Gore and Chad Johnson. 

Tickets are $899 and can be found here. Keep reading for a rundown of what each VIP attendee will receive.

Continue reading →

This one is 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 perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five interesting cards from 2021 Topps Stadium Club.

ALTERNATIVE INK & BASE
If you poke around auctions you'll see guys with standard autos and then variations that use the 1991 Stadium Club design in place of the 2021 photo bar. And others use other looks (that are ultimately pretty much the same in the big picture of things) and then you can find variations without autographs, too. This being the 30th anniversary of Stadium Club it all works --  see the checklist here.

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 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 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click here

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

Continue reading →

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 RARE ROOKIE CARD PARALLEL 
The Card: Calvin Ridley 2018 Donruss Jersey Number parallel (/18) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Price: $37.50
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was more of a premium pick-up for me yet still felt like a steal, too, as this is one of those rarer parallel type of cards where if you pass on one copy you might not see another again as it's a super-rare card in a release with a meaty, multi-format print run -- meaning some of the cards might never be found. It's relatively clean and I also had my eye on it for possible grading but there's a minor wrinkle or surface indent that could get a low mark (maybe). I probably won't risk that but it's no big deal as this one is staying in my school ties part of my stash. It doesn't hurt that he could have an even more dominating kind of season with future Hall of Famer Julio Jones on the move, though.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Donruss NFL (a few formats)

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

You might have noticed a different approach to the newest card in a regularly appearing series from Topps.

Instead of using a pair of on-field images, the new Jackie Robinson 2021 Topps Game Within The Game card from artist Paul Jennis carries a historic twist. It uses the moment where Robinson shakes the hand of Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey after signing his contract with the team in 1945 -- his first step in forever changing MLB.

“I wanted to get Branch Rickey onto the card at the start of my planning process, but when he didn’t fit on the vertical painting, I thought it would still be impactful to get his hand into the final painting,” Jennis said. “Art is about symbolism. I can think of nothing more appropriate at this time in our nation’s history – with daily reminders that race is still an issue – of the image of Branch shaking Jackie’s hand nearly 75 years ago. Life is all about making the world better and lifting each other up, and that’s what the Dodgers did with their courageous act to sign Jackie to a contract as the first African-American player in the Major Leagues.”

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: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click here

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: 2021 Bowman baseball cards (Mega Box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.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: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (Walmart blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click here

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

Continue reading →

What: 2021 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Diamond Stars autographed baseballs
Arrives: July 28
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed baseball chase brand arrives with a number of notables and rare legends' ink all in one place.

The biggest chase of them all this year? Keep reading for that ... and a gallery of what's 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: 2021 Topps Finest baseball cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

Continue reading →

The Buzzworthy is a fast take on five subjects in the news and what might move when it comes to their cardboard. Could some of these hot takes from Buzz be misses? Don't be afraid to tell him on Twitter. 

NEXT MAN UP
Calvin Ridley, WR Atlanta Falcons
With future Hall of Famer Julio Jones saying he's done in Atlanta, that means one of the guys who will be there should get more attention and to me that's Ridley -- even though his stats were already team-highs last year. Ridley had 90 catches for 1,374 yards and nine TDs to Jones' 51 for 771 and three ... but you might not know it from their cardboard. Ridley's RCs are in 2018 releases and he's affordable in a lot of instances, especially in comparison to other rookies from that class. Sure, defenses might focus on him more, too, but his numbers have been impressive after three seasons

Who else is Buzzworthy? Keep reading ... 

Continue reading →

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 PIECE OF THE GAME
The Card: Dri Archer 2014 Panini National Treasures Rookie NFL Football & Lace (/4)
The Price: $25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I've always thought these cards with big and bold pieces of event-used footballs from the NFLPA Rookie Premiere are cool regardless of who they are made for. (Archer last played in 2015 so not much interest in that way.) This was the second time I've grabbed one of these -- the last being years ago at this point -- as I haven't really seen them pop up as much in recent years. (Can't say I'm constantly looking but they aren't super-plentiful, either.) This is literally half of the laces on an NFL ball embedded into a card and three-dimensional cards like this aren't done as often as they should be if you ask me, especially for premium brands. Sure, they cost more to make as those big swatches could have gone to several cards but all of them combined don't have as much oomph as cards like this do.
Grab a box right here: National Treasures boxes (all years)

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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: 2021 Bowman baseball cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Keep reading for what was inside 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: 2021 Bowman baseball cards (hobby box)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Keep reading for what was inside this one ...

Continue reading →

What: 2021 Topps Update baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 27
Box basics: One autograph and two Relics per 10-pack jumbo box (six boxes per case); One auto or Relic per 24-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The finale for Topps' 70th anniversary flagship brand arrives with some new nods to the past, in-season highlights and more.

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

Continue reading →

What: 2021 Topps Stadium Club Chrome baseball cards
Arrives: Nov. 10
Box basics: One autograph per 14-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Stadium Club Chrome once again with throwbacks to the original 1991 SC release as well as plenty of the fun inclusions that collectors have come to expect via the overall line.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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: Wade Miley throws a no-no, Bo Bichette, impressive pulls, WWE card chatter, collecting on TV, bad news and ... could a Prizm botch lead to a better approach?

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: 2021 Topps Heritage baseball cards (Target mega box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

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

Continue reading →

What: 2021 Topps 1989 Bowman x Keith Shore baseball cards
Arrives: Wave 1 live now via Topps.com
Box basics: 10 cards per pack
Order: Click here when available

What's buzz-worthy: Artist Keith Shore takes on the 1989 Bowman set -- at least in the pose of the Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card -- with a four-wave set released online beginning today.

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

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: 2021 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (retail tin; Ronald Acuña Jr.)
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 →

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

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 High Number baseball cards (hobby-pack hanger Hot Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

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

Continue reading →