Monthly Archives: July 2025
Making the Grade (Aug.): Aaron Judge, Rickey Henderson's Rookie Card, Roger Maris, WWE stars, three Mariahs & more
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 9Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 P10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 20 10 8 0 44 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.
Show Scenes I: 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention
Via @nsccshow ... Pete Crow-Armstrong walk-off? No, it’s a National walk-in.
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The show of all shows is finally here.
The first full day of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention opens to the public soon in Chicago and Booth No. 573 -- the home of BlowoutCards.com -- should be one of your first stops at the show between today and Sunday.
But there's plenty more to be seen at this one ... and you will see a sampling of it and some cardboard finds right here as the show goes on today.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 30)
What's Buzzing: The National is here, eBay watchers, celebrating affordable cardboard, Andrew Vaughn, new pulls and ... does MLB have a gambling problem?
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1 -- The National is here
2 -- Fake watchers?
3 -- Does MLB have a gambling problem?
4 -- Celebrating affordable cardboard
5 -- Andrew Vaughn might be worth the look
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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
National Sports Collectors Convention - Buzz Bulletin Board
The National is days away and here are just some of the basics like hours, pack promo details and other basics all in one spot -- at least all that's known at this time. (A different approach since a lot of info has been released later than normal this year.)
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Keep reading to see all that's known so far ...
Buzz Break: 2025 Panini Score-A-Treat football cards
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: 2025 Panini Score-A-Treat football cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when it hits hobby channels)
Keep reading to see a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2024 Leaf Metal Sig. Series Multi-sport 1/1 Proofs
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: 2024 Leaf Metal Signature Series Multi-sport 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here for other Leaf Metal boxes
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2004 BenchWarmer Series 1 (Canadian) cards
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: 2004 BenchWarmer Series 1 (Canadian box) trading cards
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... See newer BenchWarmer boxes here
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of everything in this box.
Buzz Break: 2025 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hanger)
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: 2025 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hanger)
First Buzz preview & checklist/odds: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 29)
What's Buzzing: Collectors remember Ryne Sandberg, Derek Jeter, The National nears, new pulls and more.
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1 -- Collectors remember Ryne Sandberg
2 -- The National is days away
3 -- Showing off new Derek Jeter cards
4 -- Ripping Goodwin Champions
5 -- Inside new Twin Peaks boxes
6 -- New MLB pulls--
Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
Mystery Box Buzz Break: Big Event NY wrestling JSA box
Mystery Box Buzz Break is a new series here on The Buzz -- it's essentially a Buzz Break but only for "mystery boxes" that seem to be everywhere these days -- and not just in the sports realm. Like this and want to see more? Is there a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The mystery box: Big Event NY wrestling JSA mystery box
Where to buy: Via eBay (find new WWE cards at BlowoutCards.com)Keep reading for a full breakdown and a gallery of what was in this box. (Yes, it was a box and not a bag ... but that's their image.)
Make your picks to win free sports cards at YourDozen.com
Take a minute and make some predictions and sports picks -- and if you're at the top of the mountain when it's all over then you get some free cards.
It's that simple.
YourDozen.com is back with more free cardboard up for grabs to one lucky winner -- this time it's for WWE Summerslam action as well as some Majority Rules questions. Those questions are simple -- whatever gets the most votes is the winning answer -- and we've sprinkled in those along with the traditional picks. The end result is still the same -- whomever has the most correct answers once the dust settles wins free cards.
You have until 4 p.m. on Saturday to get your picks and predictions in. (Do it now -- one of the tiebreakers is who entered first.) The prize remains a mystery item.
Did you get in on last week's action? Check the leaderboard and contact fish@blowoutcards.com to claim your prize if you're the winner.
How does it work? It's short and simple. Register and you'll get a dozen questions where your answers will be compiled and compared to others. Whomever gaets the most correct gets the prize -- or at least a shot at it if there's a tie.
The goal with YourDozen.com? Have a little fun and get free stuff into some of your hands.
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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 28)
What's Buzzing: A QB question, The National, new pulls, Ichiro Suzuki and the Hall of Fame and more in this Monday edition.
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1 -- A QB question
2 -- The National is days away
3 -- Wrestling chatter
5 -- Ichiro Suzuki and new Hall of Famers get their moments
6 -- Nick Kurtz--
Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
First Buzz: 2025 Topps The Joy of Baseball Bob Ross X MLB
What: 2025 Topps The Joy of Baseball Bob Ross X MLB
Arrives: July 31 via Topps.com
Box basics: Two autographs and one paintbrush pen per eight-pack Collector's Edition box; autos found one in four Happy Little Boxes
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here (when live)What's buzz-worthy: MLB fans get a second helping of "happy little trees" on happy little baseball cards, with a "unique collection showcases MLB legends, past and present, silhouetted atop Bob Ross’ unmistakable landscape motif to create trading cards that are sure to be works of art."
Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 27)
What's Buzzing: Ichiro Suzuki heads to Cooperstown, The National, Nick Kurtz, new pulls and more.
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1 -- Ichiro Suzuki and new Hall of Famers ready for their moments
2 -- The National is this week
3 -- Nick Kurtz thoughts
5 -- A big Goodwin Champions pull
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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 26)
What's Buzzing: Nick Kurtz is putting on a show, The National is next week, talking Topps Chrome and more.
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1 -- Nick Kurtz is at 24 homers ... four on Friday night
2 -- The National is next week
3 -- Talking Topps Chrome
4 -- Showing off some movie baseball cards
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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
First Buzz: 2024-25 Topps Finest basketball cards (updated)
What: 2024-25 Topps Finest basketball cards
Arrives: Aug. 14
Box basics: Two autographs per six-pack box (eight boxes per case) or three autos per 10-card breaker box (eight per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: TBD
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: A new year of Finest arrives next month with a mix of past and present stars and plenty of colorful flash as part of a tiered release with plenty of nods to its past -- a "style that defined a generation of collecting," according to Topps.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
Buzz Buys ... A LOT: A bargain hunt from some time ago
Buzz buys a lot of stuff these days and for a few reasons, really. Sometimes it's just bargain-hunting, sometimes it's just something that strikes me. And other times it's a lot -- a group of things -- and that has happened enough lately I figured I'd try something different as a regularly appearing item. Sometimes my lots will be wins, sometimes they won't be ... but I'll let you decide.
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A LANDMARK RELEASE
The Lot: 27 cards from 2006 Topps Heritage Chrome WWE
The Price: Not much more than a Chrome blaster these daysKeep reading for more on this one ...
First Buzz: 2025 Topps Chrome Star Wars cards (updated)
What: 2025 Topps Chrome Star Wars trading cards
Arrives: Aug. 29
Box basics: One autograph per 10-pack hobby box (eight per case) or two autos per one-pack breaker's box (10 per case) or four parallels per 32-card Sapphire Edition box (TBD per case)
Checklist: Click here
Sapphire Checklist: Click here
Sapphire Odds: Click here
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Star Wars will hit Chrome once again with a few box options that are the only teasers for the time being along with any TBD details on the box mocks.
Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.
First Buzz: 2024 Panini One football cards
What: 2024 Panini One football cards
Arrives: Sept. 4, 2025
Box basics: One encased on-card autograph or autographed memorabilia card per box (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: One returns for the gridiron once again with its all-in-one approach in every box -- and it's once again only one card for this sport -- with "an absolutely stunning array of hard-signed memorabilia masterpieces from the NFL’s hottest rookies, biggest superstars and the game’s greatest legends — one jaw-dropper at a time."
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
First Buzz: 2024-25 Panini Immaculate Collection soccer cards
What: 2024-25 Panini Immaculate Collection soccer cards
Arrives: TBD
Box basics: Five autos or memorabilia cards in every seven-card box (six boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Immaculate Collection hits the pitch for another year with some new looks, big names, big ink, big cards and more possible in every small box.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery.
First Buzz: 2024-25 Panini Silhouette NBA cards (updated)
What: 2024-25 Panini Silhouette basketball cards
Arrives: Aug. 29
Box basics: One autograph and seven memorabilia cards per 16-card box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (when live)What's buzz-worthy: A familiar set name for memorabilia cards turns into a full release for NBA fans with the main inclusions in this new brand being jersey cards.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (July 24)
What's Buzzing: Collectors react to the Hulk Hogan news, The National nears, sketch cards, Tom Brady Rookie Cards, Ozzy Osbourne and more in today's edition.
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2 -- The National nears
3 -- They had been talking Tom Brady Rookie Cards, but ...
4 -- Talking sketch cards
5 -- Collectors react to the death of heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne
6 -- Reactions to an alleged autograph forgery ring--
Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.
Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.
First Buzz: 2025 Panini Origins football cards
What: 2025 Panini Origins football cards
Arrives: Aug. 27
Box basics: One rookie jersey auto, another auto and one mem card per seven-card box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Origins' 10th season on the NFL gridiron arrives with plenty that collectors have come to expect from the colorful line with "incredible artistry of the NFL’s biggest stars, rookies and legends," according to the company.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
First Buzz: 2025 Panini Prizm Draft Picks football cards
What: 2025 Panini Prizm Draft Picks football cards
Arrives: Aug. 20
Box basics: Four autographs per four-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Panini offers up Prizm Draft once again with some current college stars on NIL deals and greats of the recent past in their school colors with an autograph in every pack and plenty more.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery.
First Buzz: 2025 TRISTAR HT Autographed Footballs (Season)
What: 2025 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Footballs Season Edition
Arrives: Sept. 24
Box basics: One autographed football per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line of autographed footballs hits the field during the season once again with its familiar format and mix of pro and college balls in play.