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

PERFECTION ON THE DIAMOND
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Big League -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: One might argue that because this is Ohtani’s most low-end RC that it might not mean as much -- but that’s mostly just because of what the packs cost back in the day. How about now? How easy is it to find Big League packs vs. all of the other options that have his RCs inside? (I didn’t look ... that’s a question for you.) I'd suspect there are a boatload more flagship options to be found (at higher prices now) and a lot more of those cards slabbed vs. these. Why? While Big League was cheaper, I'd think there probably wasn’t as much made considering all of the packaging versions for flagship releases back then compared to this. That was a thought as to why I finally slabbed this one, especially when it looked pretty good.
The Grade: CGC 10 (Pristine)

Reality Check: There’s a reason this global icon leads off this month. This one checks in as just one of four in that top mark. Just 7.6 percent of those graded have landed this mark ... while a heavy majority does check in at a standard 10. Sure, these are all pop numbers that could change at any time with more subs ... but I’d think that other RCs probably will get graded more than this one.

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

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ...

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OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN ... 
The Card: Captain Britain 2025 Topps Chrome Marvel Comics Yellow Lava Refractor
The Price: Under $2
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There seems to be an influx of deep-pocketed collectors chasing down Marvel cards hot and heavy in recent years with Precious Metal Gems and Chrome Refractor rarities being gobbled up to the point that almost everything new is seemingly of the flashy variety like this with big box prices attached. This collector doesn’t go uptown without some guaranteed stuff inside -- hits such as autographs, sketch cards or memorabilia guaranteed -- so there’s not been much dabbling for me and I’m OK with that. (Can’t collect everything.) This simple card was my first taste of this release for a character I liked the most back when I was a regular comics dabbler in the early 1990s (when baseball cards got pricey and a bit uninspired at the same time). This modern take on the 1980 Topps MLB design is one that, while I’m familiar with it, doesn’t really resonate with me to chase ‘em all. I also wished that the edges and corners were a little cleaner here ... but I have seen rougher releases with chromium-stock sets from all companies in recent years. If you have the willpower and can dig in not worried about box prices, there are some interesting releases out there in the comics realm. I used to casually dabble more in the non-sports realm when the boxes were cheaper but singles like this might be where I look more often if something strikes me. There’s little doubt that the ceiling for rarer singles is higher than ever if you pull something good, too.
Grab a box right here: Marvel cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What's Buzzing: Whatever, whoever, whenever ... yada, yada, yada ... read them or don't in today's edition.

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1 -- Hot stuff

2 -- Whoopee!

3 -- Whatever.

4 -- Who?

5 -- That guy?

6 -- LOL

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

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What: 2026 Topps Chrome Black baseball cards
Arrives: April 29
Box basics: One encased autograph in every 13-card box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This brand returns for a seventh season with the familar format and similar inclusions with some new looks as it showcases the stars of today.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2026 Leaf Optichrome football cards
Arrives: May
Box basics: Six autos and two base cards per hobby box (12 boxes per case) or 12 autos and three base per jumbo box (eight per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf Optichrome returns for another season loaded with autographs and some new looks and new inserts in the mix.

Keep reading for more 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 pack: 2025 Leaf Autographed Photo Pack 
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... Click here for Leaf Photographic

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

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What's Buzzing: Non-sports pulls, WWE chatter, new MLB, Topps Series 1 and Topps Heritage.

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1 -- Ripping into a Pop Century case ... and more non-sports here

2 -- New MLB pulls 

3 -- WWE chatter as Mania nears

4 -- All the MLB topics

5 -- Talking 2026 Topps

6 -- Talking 2026 Topps Heritage 

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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.

Take a minute and answer some hot-take questions and make some MLB picks -- and if you're at the top of the mountain when it's all over then you get some free cards.

It's always that simple.

YourDozen.com is back with more free cardboard up for grabs to one lucky winner -- this time it's for Sunday MLB 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 1 p.m. on Sunday to get your picks in. (Do it now -- one of the tiebreakers is who entered first.) The prize remains a mystery item.

>>> CLICK HERE TO ENTER <<< 

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 gets 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. 

There’s a visual giveaway above ... but there’s still a story to tell.

We’re back to the standard game-used baseballs for this month’s installment in the Collecting Game-used series that has one little detail that makes this one stand out from many out there -- but it has nothing to do with the names or the plays attached.

Just like the others in this series, its life in the game -- this time just two pitches -- are immortalized in the MLB Film Room database of video clips but it’s a little different. All I knew when grabbing this one, though, was the day of the game -- so I knew the lineups of the teams battling it out at Citizens Bank Park but not much else.

You can keep reading to see the details and see the ball in action ...

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What's Buzzing: New pulls from Series 1 and Heritage MLB, an impressive Kobe Bryant buyback Rookie Card, vintage cards and more.

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1 -- Talking 2026 Topps

2 -- One to see

3 -- Talking Topps NBA

4 -- Non-sports update

5 -- Vintage cards

6 -- Talking 2026 Topps Heritage 

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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.

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: High Spots Virtual Gimmick Table -- autographed card box
Where to buy: Via High Spots (on a weekly live stream) ... find new wrestling cards at BlowoutCards.com

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

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What's Buzzing: MLB chatter and pulls, inside a Pop Century case, sketch cards and more in this Sunday edition.

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1 -- Talking baseball

2 -- New MLB pulls

3 -- Breaking down a Pop Century case

4 -- Sketch cards

5 -- Talking comics

6 -- Grading is on their minds

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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.

What's Buzzing: MLB chatter, MLB pulls, an ump question, WWE, NBA and Topps Heritage.

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1 -- All your MLB chatter

2 -- New MLB pulls are here

3 -- An umpire question

4 -- WWE is on their minds

5 -- Basketball has ‘em talking

6 -- Still talking Topps Heritage 

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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.

What: 2026 Topps Finest Premier League soccer cards
Arrives: April 23
Box basics: Two autographs per six-pack hobby box (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: See gallery
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Finest arrives for fans of the Premier League with a meaty base set and plenty of flash and colorful inserts to chase.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2025-26 Topps Cosmic Chrome basketball cards
Arrives: April 28
Box basics: TBD per 20-pack box (TBD per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Cosmic Chrome will get an officially licensed NBA debut at some point soon as Topps has teased some early images for the colorful release.

Keep reading for more info as well as a gallery off images.

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What's Buzzing: MLB chatter, talking favorites, new pulls and more in this Friday edition.

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1 -- All your MLB chatter as the season is here

2 -- I bet it is for many ... 

3 -- Munetaka Murakami

4 -- Paul Skenes reactions 

5 -- New MLB pulls are here

6 -- Talking Topps Heritage 

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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.

What: 2026 Keepsake Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary trading cards
Arrives: July 15
Box basics: Two memorabilia or 1/1 cards per 12-pack box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The newest Keepsake release looks back at the life and career of Bruce Lee once again with high-end glossed standard cards and notable piece of Lee’s legacy via his memorabilia and even his handwriting and drawings embedded into cards.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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What: 2026 Pulse Big League Chew baseball cards
Arrives: July/August
Box basics: Two autographs per 12-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case) or one autograph per eight-pack mega box (20 boxes per case) or six-pack blaster boxes with 14 autos per case (40 boxes per case) or 12 packs per value pack box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Pulse teams up with a stable of young baseball players with a release that’s "more than just a product launch, it’s a full-on celebration of baseball, nostalgia and the culture that made so many of us fall in love with the game in the first place [as] Big League Chew is an iconic brand that represents the heart of baseball."

Keep reading for more info and a gallery of images.

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What: 2025-26 Bowman basketball cards
Arrives: April 22
Box basics: Two autographs per 20-pack hobby box (12 per case) or four autographs per 12-pack jumbo box (eight per case) or three autographs per Delight box (six per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The early teasers are here and the return of Bowman NBA will be one unlike any other -- it also will include college stars from both the men’s and women’s ranks on fully licensed NCAA cards within those same packs.

Keep reading for more info.

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What's Buzzing: The MLB season arrives, Cooper Flagg, Topps Heritage, Cosmic Chrome and more.

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1 -- All your MLB chatter as the season is here

2 -- New MLB pulls are here

3 -- Off-season NFL talk 

4 -- Reactions to Cosmic Chrome NBA

5 -- Cooper Flagg

6 -- Talking Topps Heritage 

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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.

What's Buzzing: MLB takes center stage as the baseball season begins tonight.

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1 -- All your MLB chatter as the season opens tonight 

2 -- Talking Topps Heritage 

3 -- Paul Skenes 

4 -- New MLB pulls are here

5 -- "The old days"

6 -- Whatnot lawsuit chatter

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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.

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: 2026 Topps Heritage baseball cards (mega)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview, odds & checklist: Click here

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

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What: 2026 Topps Graphite tennis cards
Arrives: April 24
Box basics: Four autographs and two Relics per three-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: After a year off, Graphite hits the court once again with a Chromed mix of past and present stars and a number of hits in every box.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2026 Topps Finest Fantastic Four trading cards
Arrives: April 15
Box basics: One sketch card, autograph or Relic per 10-pack hobby box (eight per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The Finest brand takes on one of Marvel’s biggest teams of the past in a release that meshes the movies with the comics and many of the familiar Finest inclusions all in one as part of its 65th anniversary.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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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BIG HAIR ... BIG UPSIDE
The Lot: Seven 1976 Topps & 1976 Topps Traded baseball cards
The Price: $16.51 shipped -- check out Retro Rips here

Keep reading for more on this one ...

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