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 ... a super-sized edition with 20 cards to open 2020.

--

SO CLOSE TO PERFECTION ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Chrome #193 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: This one looked very clean to my eye and I figured getting some of my past Acuña pulls slabbed was a good move considering his almost-40/40 showing last year. Some of his cards are heavily graded to the point where they can be had for not much more than a typical cost to slab if not in top grades. Meanwhile, others aren't as plentiful and some can typically grade very well. I went with this one since it's not as heavily graded and it does tend to grade well. Plus, I just liked the photo here compared to others -- and those I already own slabbed.
The Grade: BGS 10

Reality Check: This one surprised me a bit -- just one half-subgrade away from a BGS Black. Only 14 cards have gotten the perfect mark and this one is among an also-small population. Most cards here check in at 9.5s -- a solid mark and a perfect card to bat lead-off for this first MTG of the year. I expect big things from Acuña this year and I'll be slabbing him often.

Keep reading for more.

Continue reading →

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is Hour 6.

The pack: 1979 Topps Rocky II trading cards
The cost now: $1.75
The cost then: 20 cents

What's inside this pack? Keep reading ...

Continue reading →

"I must break you" will have a new twist next month as Ivan Drago becomes one of the Bleacher Creatures next month.

The Plymouth, Pa.-based company has revealed a line of six plush toys for the Rocky franchise, which is celebrating its 4oth anniversary this year.

Drago was of course the main opponent of Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV and he's not the only foe in the Bleacher Creatures lineup.
Continue reading →

When you think of Sylvester Stallone's career, one character probably comes to mind first.

Rocky Balboa.

The memorabilia left over from that big-screen boxer's multi-film career are among countless lots being sold next week as Stallone has chosen Heritage Auctions to sell pieces from throughout his career. It's a collection of memorabilia that spans from the first Rocky films and includes Rambo, The Expendables and plenty more.

Continue reading →