Buzz Break: 2023 Donruss baseball cards (blaster)

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The box: 2023 Donruss baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for this one.

Cards per pack: 15
Packs per box: 6
Cards in this box: 90
Set completion: 
58 of 290 (20 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Duke Snider, Lou Brock, Marcelo Mayer, Sal Frelick, Masyn Winn, Drew Romo, Ichiro Suzuki, Nolan Ryan, Jasson Dominguez, Mike Piazza, Tom Seaver, Mariano Rivera, Randy Johnson, Willie Stargell, Dennis Eckersley, Carlton Fisk, Ivan Rodriguez, Chief Meyers, Druw Jones, Evan Carter, Jordan Walker, Ichiro Suzuki, Nolan Ryan, Ken Griffey Jr.

Insert cards: 31 (a sampling of everything in gallery below)
Variations (3) – Ken Griffey Jr., Jordan Lawlar, Jordan Walker
Holo Purple parallel (12) – Vladimir Guerrero, Jackson Holliday, Brooks Lee, Luisangel Acuña, Johnny Bench, Andres Galarraga, Larry Walker, George Brett, Carlton Fisk, J.R. Ritchie, Al Simmons, Nolan Ryan
Holo Carolina Blue parallel (5) – Mick Abel, Al Kaline, Henry Bolte, Juan Gonzalez, Jordan Walker
Variation Holo Carolina Blue parallel (1) – Jordan Lawlar
Liberty parallel (1) – Jasson Dominguez
Independence Day parallel (1) – Nolan Ryan
Holo Red parallel (1) – Daniel Susac (/2,023)
Cooperstown Red parallel (1) – Randy Johnson (/149)
Cooperstown Rapture parallel (1) – Jim Hunter
Dominators Rapture parallel (1) – Cal Ripken Jr.
Elite Series Rapture parallel (1) – Nolan Ryan
Marvels Rapture parallel (1) – Pete Rose
Mr. 3,000 Rapture parallel (1) – Ichiro Suzuki
Unleashed Rapture parallel (1) – Elly De La Cruz

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Retro 1990 Materials Red (1) – Cooper Hjerpe (/99)

What's Buzz-worthy: I waited to grab one of these back when they arrived but, based on the volume and variety of what was found here I shouldn't have. Why? It's got a boatload of stuff in every box and it's only prospects and a small crop of retired stars and then Hall of Famers ... so the star power and value potential is there on two fronts without active MLB stars (of varying cardboard potential) in play. This one was an interesting rip with a hit -- a parallel at that -- despite hits not being noted in every box and there were actually even more Hall of Famers and stars in this box ... I just couldn't show them all in the gallery. This box was interesting with three numbered cards, some good names on all fronts and a good volume of parallel and variation power ... sometimes both of those things on the same cards. The overall formula of subsets -- Diamond Kings, Rated Prospects (instead of Rated Rookies) base and then a Retro element (1990 this time) -- is within what past Donruss sets had ... just not as many names and a better crop overall with a heavier Hall of Fame presence. Chew on the gallery for just the start of what was in this one ... I'll likely rip more in the coming months.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: A-

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