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: Big pulls, National chatter and is Lonzo Ball's autograph evolving again?

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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: 2018 Topps Chrome baseball cards (five value packs)
Where to buy: Click here for value packs and value pack cases

Packs per pack: 4 (three standard, one Pink Refractor pack)
Cards per pack: 4 standard, 5 Pink
Cards in this lot: 85
Base set completion: 
44 of 200 (22 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Manny Machado, Justin Verlander, Anthony Rendon, Max Scherzer, Yoan Moncada

Rookie Cards (14) – Rhys Hoskins, Walker Buehler, Rafael Devers, Scott Kingery, Dustin Fowler, Lucas Sims, Nicky Delmonico, Zack Granite, Jen-ho Tseng, J.D. Davis, Brandon Woodruff, Brian Anderson, Jack Flaherty, Luiz Gohara

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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 Today: Pondering the next Trout Topps Update caliber Rookie Card, ripping National packs and post-show chatter, Barry Bonds, Drew Brees' nuclear card & 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 Today: Big pulls, big games, big trades in this National Baseball Card Day edition.

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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: 2018 Topps Heritage baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24 (plus one box-topper)
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 217
Base set completion: 
197 of 400 (49 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Jose Altuve, Ichiro Suzuki, Buster Posey, Carlos Correa, Giancarlo Stanton, Yu Darvish, Alex Bregman, Francisco Lindor, Anthony Rizzo, Dansby Swanson, Luis Severino, Carlos Beltran, Justin Verlander, Joey Votto, Manny Machado, Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes, Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Corey Seager, Aaron Judge, Max Scherzer

>>> For a checklist and variation galleries, click here

Rookie Cards (11 cards, 23 rookies) – Lucas Sims, Ozzie Albies, Rafael Devers, Kyle Martin, Nick Williams, Rhys Hoskins, Miguel Andujar, Clint Frazier, Kyle Farmer, Tim Locastro, O'Koyea Dickson, Tyler Wade, Garrett Cooper, Raudy Read, Erick Fedde, Max Fried, Luiz Gohara, Nicky Delmonico, Aaron Bummer, Parker Bridwell, Troy Scribner, Ildemaro Vargas, Jack Reinheimer

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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 every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. 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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A NATIONAL BONUS FOR LIVING SET BUYERS
The Item: 2018 Topps National Sports Collectors Convention Francisco Lindor Topps Living Set litho signed by artist Mayumi Seto (90/100)
The Price: $94 after 20 bids with several days remaining
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This piece was a bonus item to a few lucky collectors at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland as the artist was on hand on the Saturday of the show to greet fans. A ticket good for one of the prints was randomly put into the three-card Living Set packs that were available at the show. The set has become a popular weekly release via Topps.com with thousands of copies of each card sold each week and Seto is the creative force fueling some of the demand with her life-like artwork that's being used as part of this 1953 Topps homage. (That year's set used paintings.) Other lithos have asking prices between $345 and $749 among active auctions, while a number of these have already sold. It will be interesting to watch this one -- asking prices on standard cards she signed at the show also have commanded some strong prices. This one is impressive.
Similar Pieces: Check out 2018 Topps Living Set cards on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for baseball boxes

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

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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 Today: Mookie Betts' cycle, one mellow massive pull video, Ginter X and more in today's edition.

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The clock is ticking down and the cardboard is ready.

Saturday is Topps National Baseball Card Day and whether you're a regular at your local card shop or you're somebody who ripped into packs just for the gum decades ago, some free stuff can be yours at participating shops.

"National Baseball Card Day is a great way to celebrate a hobby we love, showing off favorite cards and reveling in great collections," read a company statement for the program.

The annual event is one that Topps and others hopes will draw people into collecting with some new stuff to start their stash -- or for veterans to chase down some potential rarities inside the five-card packs that are free with a visit. There's also a bonus card available with a $10 purchase on Saturday -- and another bonus card after that for you if you go back to the shop later in the month.

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One of the unusual inclusions in packs of Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards this year is the 15-card The World's Hottest Peppers set, which is precisely what it's name indicates.

The Carolina Reaper you see here? It's apparently a modern-day Babe Ruth of heat, a Slambino of the Stomach  with its Scoville Heat Units mark at 1.6 million according to its card. But that's just its average score -- apparently it can reach a world-record high of 2.2 million and it broke its own record. Meanwhile, another pepper in the set reportedly tops it but hasn't been recognized by Guiness World Records just yet. (What does really it all mean? Buzz is no expert -- I don't dare go beyond some spicy barbecue sauce -- but "pain" simply comes to mind first.)

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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 Today: Pat Neshek's Topps Living haul, big pulls, pondering Juan Soto's age, post-National chatter and ... National Baseball Card Day is here early on eBay?

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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: 2015 Topps Strata baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 2

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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: 2018 Topps Heritage WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 12 (10 standard, one Relic/Shawn Michaels pack -- plus one coin in this box)
Cards per pack: 6 in standard
Cards in this box: 63 (62 plus a coin)
Base set completion: 25 of 110 (23 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable names pulled on base cards – Liv Morgan, John Cena, Chris Jericho, The Rock, Undertaker, Seth Rollins, Nikki Bella, Nia Jax, Asuka, Carmella, Bobby Fish

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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: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 25 (24 plus box-topper)
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 193
Base set completion: 
130 of 300 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Claire Smith, Aaron Judge, Ichiro Suzuki, Bill James, Phil Coyne, Bryce Harper, Roberto Clemente, Kelsey Plum, Albert Pujols, Christopher McDonald, Biz Markie, Nolan Ryan, Greg Maddux, Mark McGwire, Jackie Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr., Honus Wagner, Sean Evans, Trea Turner, Mike Piazza, Austin Rogers, Tyronn Lue, Barry Larkin, Roger Clemens, Dansby Swanson, Manny Machado, Michael Rapaport, Mariano Rivera, Ryne Sandberg, Andrew Benintendi

Rookie Cards (17) – Shohei Ohtani, Brandon Woodruff (SP), Zack Granite, Willie Calhoun, Brian Anderson, Walker Buehler, Amed Rosario, Clint Frazier, Paul Blackburn, J.P. Crawford, Garrett Cooper, Nicky Delmonico, Jackson Stephens, Lucas Sims, Ryan McMahon, Alex Verdugo, Andrew Stevenson

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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 Today: Post-National chatter, pondering Wood mini whereabouts, inside VIP Party packs, big pulls and 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 box: 2018 Topps UFC Knockout
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 4
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 40
Base set completion: 22 of 100 (22 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards (excluding rookies) – Cub Swanson, Paige VanZant, Arianny Celeste, Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Rose Namajunas, Jose Aldo, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Jimmie Rivera, Julianna Pena, Wilson Reis, Ovince Saint Preux, Gokhan Saki, Volkan Oezdemir, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Jorge Masvidal, Ilir Latifi, Cynthia Calvillo

Rookie Cards (4) – Josh Emmett, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Justin Gaethje, Brian Ortega

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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: 2017-18 Topps UEFA Champions League Museum Collection
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 8
Base set completion: 
4 of 75 (5 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards (4) – Thomas Muller, Radja Naingolan, Cesar Azpilicueta, Oguzhan Ozyakup

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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: 2018 Topps Chrome baseball cards (mega box)
Where to buy: Click here for jumbo, hobby & blasters

Packs per box: 12 (10 packs plus two X-fractor packs)
Cards per pack: 4 per standard, 5 per X-fractor
Cards in this box: 50
Base set completion: 
31 of 200 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Bregman, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Donaldson, Jon Lester, Andrew McCutchen

Rookie Cards (10) – Scott Kingery, Garrett Cooper, Andrew Stevenson, Francisco Mejia. Chance Sisco, Dominic Smith, J.P. Crawford, Jackson Stephens, Tyler Wade, Tyler Mahle

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Via @joeorlandoPSA ... This might be the coolest story of the #nsccshow so far. While live on the #GA_Collectibles show, Leighton Sheldon opened a PSA-certified 1955 Bowman baseball pack. Inside he found this beauty. It graded a PSA Mint 9. Incredible.

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: National post-show chatter, big pulls and more as Buzz recovers from the NSCC.

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This year's National Sports Collectors Convention is almost here -- and here's everything found on The Buzz in advance of the show of all shows for sports fans.

The rundown is heavy on wrapper redemption info and promotional product announcements, but there are a few other things here and there that might help you plan for the event that's set to begin tomorrow in Cleveland and run through Sunday at the IX Center.

New stuff from the show floor
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 5
Working the National wrapper redemption lines Part II: Panini
Steiner stop includes a little mystery and a surprise or two
Panini redemption trade-in program can be worth the wait
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 4
Working the National wrapper redemption lines Part I: Topps
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 3
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 2
Blowout MegaMix delivers fun surprises for collectors -- and even for Buzz -- at National
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 1

Blowout Cards
Start your National wrapper redemption quests with Blowout
Getting into Blowout MegaMix ain't happening until National

Buzz Contest
Take the Blowout Buzz $10 NSCC Challenge right here for your shot at 10 cool cards

Historic Autographs
Historic Autographs readies 'Pieces From The Trash' promo cards & more

Leaf Trading Cards
Leaf readies three wrapper redemptions for The National

Onyx Authenticated
Onyx offers Victor Robles ink for those busting cases at NSCC

Panini America
Panini America reveals four more VIP Party guests
Charles Barkley gets his own tribute set and wrapper redemption at show
Panini reveals its first three VIP Party guests
Panini’s first NSCC promo card teaser is all about Pink Prizms (updated with pack info)
Panini preps promo packs for NASCAR fans at National
Panini releases Box Wars schedule for The National
This year's Panini VIP Party is coming soon ... are you ready?
NSCC reveals Panini's promo set for show's VIP pass buyers
Panini America's redemption trade-in returns at National

PSA
PSA readies custom cards, big contests for The National

Super Break
Super Break readies 1/1 Pieces of the Past promos for National

Topps
Topps reveals VIP package promo cards for National show
Topps readies 2018 National wrapper redemption promo cards 

TRISTAR
TRISTAR once again readies bonus bags for The National
First Buzz: 2018 TRISTAR Signature Series National Edition
The National: Whose autograph would you grab first? Here are Buzz's picks
Albert Pujols joins autograph signers lineup for The National

Upper Deck
Upper Deck readies NSCC VIP set & reveals other show plans

Scenes From The Show last year -- see this year's galleries up top
Day 5 gallery
Day 4 gallery
Day 3 gallery
Day 2 gallery
Day 1 gallery

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com

The wrapper redemption programs at the National Sports Collectors Convention are a challenge, a pastime and a must-do for many attendees every year.

But there are drawbacks, too, hence that challenge part. There can be long waits -- depending on how long the lines are and, more importantly, how early you got in them -- and there's the possibility that your line could get cut off before land your treasures.

But the wait can be worth it with the surprises in your packs -- or your boxes you grab to get said packs -- and that's what Buzz opted to try a few times this year. First up? The Topps program.

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Note: A break from The National coverage for this month's Making the Grade as Buzz preps to be at the show later today. Look for plenty more from Cleveland here soon.

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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 ...

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If you're headed to this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, odds are you have a few bucks in your pocket.

We want you to earmark $10 for a little something something at the show -- whatever you want from wherever you want, whatever you think is cool.

Why? We've got a package of 10 cards (see our gallery) that can be yours if you participate in the Blowout Buzz $10 NSCC Challenge. 

Keep reading for the details.

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Trevor Rogers, SP, Marlins — Low-A Greensboro Grasshoppers
Season so far: 1-4 with 5.13 ERA, 65 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54.1 innings (12 starts)
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Rogers has worked six or more innings in his last three starts, culminating with Sunday’s gem, where he struck out a career-best 12 batters and carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2017 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2016 Leaf Metal Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: His season numbers look a little LaLooshian but he was the 13th overall pick in last year's draft and he's on the Marlins so they'll take it -- and the potential. The recent games look relatively solid, so if you're sold on the potential of a Marlins pitcher then you might want to bite.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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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 Today: National wrapper redemption basics and other discussions, a funky Trout and other big pulls.

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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: 2018 Championship Collection Shohei Ohtani baseball repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Walmart ($19.99)

Packs per box: 15 (five packs are bonus items) plus one Leaf Shohei Ohtani card
Cards per pack: Varies by brand

Notables on base cards – See gallery for key pulls (three hits this time)

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