Minor league baseball cards from the past can include some weird stuff ... stuff you wouldn't imagine to be found on a baseball card. Here are some some new oddities in this latest edition of MiLB Madness. 

IT'S BUBBLE BOY! (PART ONE)
The Card: Dan "Bubble Boy" Jones 2018 Grandstand Erie SeaWolves
The Buzz On This One: What's the deal here? Well, what you see on the baseball card is what I know ... he's a first-round draft pick, a Knockerball champion who went undefeated and, well, has a baseball card. (Yeah, yeah, something about tickets, too. Must be a side job.) Is this the only Bubble Boy baseball card there is? Well, maybe for this kind ...

Keep reading for more examples of some weird or fun baseball cards you can (almost) only find in MiLB.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's nothing but football pick-ups.

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THE MOUTH OF THE SOUTH?
The Card: Paul Finebaum 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Autographs
The Price: $9.25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: When it comes to college football, Buzz is pretty much SEC or nothing. The SEC Network wasn't around with this guy at the center of a lot of things when Buzz was around there, but he was still all over the place back then. Who's Paul Finebaum a small few of you might say? He's one of ESPN's top names covering the college game on the Network, though he's been a big part of radio and newspaper scenes for years covering the SEC. Finebaum's only card appearances are limited to a literal handful of autographs in this baseball set that often includes media personalities and he has no standard cards. Podcaster James Andrew Miller said this of him: "Paul Finebaum knows the American Southeast like Jay-Z knows Brooklyn. And that's a big blast of wind at your back if your job is covering college football. His instincts as an interviewer rank him in the top tier of the sports world. And he is beyond mere savvy when it comes to speaking very virally." While I'm not the biggest fan, it's a unique autograph and one that a lot of non-collectors would want if they knew it existed. I finally grabbed one since it was cheap.
Grab a box right here: 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter

Keep reading for even more interesting items ... again, all football from here on out.

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It's a film based on a true story, and while you might not remember his name there are football cards with this tale, too.

He's Brian Banks and a film of the same name arrives in theaters tonight. It's a story of a high school football star who went to prison for a crime he didn't commit and then what happened to get his life back.

Banks' only pro football credits on his resume -- on the backs of his only cards -- are a single tackle with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the defunct United Football League, which folded before Banks could complete a season. He got a shot in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013 and his only football cards arrived that same year under some unusual circumstances.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around they're varied but also pretty cheap. (The way Buzz likes it.)

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TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MINOR FLAWS
The Card: Calvin Ridley 2018 Panini Obsidian Cutting Edge Relics Electric Etch Orange #CE-14 (/35)
The Price: $7
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a nice card of a strong rookie from a funky brand that didn't break the bank because it's got a few minor flaws that aren't that uncommon with thick-stock memorabilia cards. That's fine because they don't take away from the feel of what is a different kind of card that shows Panini is trying some things with die-cutting designs. It was that process that led to some compression wrinkling on a back edge and a spots on the top front edge, but I still liked it enough to pick up. Ridley had flashes of brilliance during his rookie season that included 64 catches for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns and I'm a buyer when they're on the cheap because I think there's some potential for more here. (Memorabilia cards can be cheap buys for football because they are often plentiful -- yet they are a fun alternative to pricey autographs in my book.) This is a brand that includes some big stuff -- far bigger than what my tastes are focused on. It's worth a look.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Panini Obsidian NFL boxes

Keep reading for five more interesting items ...

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It's no surprise to see a New Orleans Saints player with a gaudy stat line but this time it's a dominating game from a guy who's been a dominator all year.

Saints WR Michael Thomas dialed up a big night in a win over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Rams with 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown that included a "call"afterward. (That was likely to the league office to see how big his fine would be for using a prop on the field, especially if it wasn't the league-approved brand of phone he had hidden under the goalpost.)

This former Ohio State star is all over cardboard with more than 2,500 different cards since his arrival in 2016 NFL boxes and he's got more than 800 different autographed cards for fans to chase, too. >> Check out his autos on eBay  The game was his biggest of the year and just his third 100-yard game Despite that, he's fourth in the NFL with 880 yards this season and is second in receptions. With a lot of toys in the Drew Brees-led arsenal, Thomas might be overlooked on his own team to a degree when it comes to cardboard but he shouldn't be.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

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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 LITTLE EXTRA
The Item: Johnny Damon 2018 Topps Five Star patch auto (/25)
The Price: $179.95 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This brand is loaded with impressive cardboard and some crazy patches but this one comes with a little extra included -- as you can see that's a PSA/DNA authentication sticker for the jersey where this patch came from. That notes that this jersey was signed with a game-used 2011 inscription -- something you'll know from just this swatch but not any of the other 24 that exist. A simple and fun item. There are some nice cards coming out of these boxes -- check out the link below -- and get your box at the link below that.
Similar Pieces: Other 2018 Topps Five Star autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 Topps Five Star boxes

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

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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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THE LATEST ROOKIE ARRIVAL
The Item: 2018 Panini XR Calvin Ridley Rookie Patch Auto Laundry Tag NFL shield 1/1
The Price: $999.99 Buy-It-Now
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This Atlanta Falcons rookie arrived big-time in a shootout with the New Orleans Saints last Sunday with seven catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns. That firmly put him on the radars for a few more collectors although many were probably already watching this first-round pick anyway. This brand is loaded with all kinds of nice cards like this one and he's got plenty of other high-end feeling cards from products without high-end prices. It's these prime cards that could be the most-volatile on the high-end if dominance continues from the rookie.
Similar Pieces: Other Calvin Ridley autographs on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for Panini XR 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: The NFL season is here, big pulls from a number of brands and pondering the power of an Aaron Rodgers card.

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The Panini America VIP Party roster has added some stars from the gridiron.

The newest star revealed on Friday night? Hall of Famer and Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. Former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick was revealed this afternoon, while two past college football greats will also be on hand for Saturday's exclusive event.

Joining them will be three previously revealed NBA guests as well as Texas Longhorns legend Vince Young and former Oklahoma Sooners star "The Boz," Brian Bosworth. 

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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: 2012 Topps football cards (hanger box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com 

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 72
Base set completion: 
66 of 440 (15 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Antonio Gates, Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys

Rookie Cards (19) – Nick Foles, Ryan Lindley, Eric LeGrand, Brandon Thompson, Derek Wolfe, T.Y. Hilton, Jonathan Martin, Robert Turbin, Markelle Martin, Janoris Jenkins, Keshawn Martin, Gerell Robinson, Juron Criner, Aaron Corp, Quintion Coples, Melvin Ingram, Nick Perry, Vick Ballard, Terrance Ganaway

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This year's National Sports Collectors Convention is set for Aug. 1-5 in Cleveland with a meaty roster of autograph guests signing for those who opt to get a ticket and get in line for an "inkredible" moment.

Some of those signers are actually free if you're at the VIP reception on Wednesday or buy a VIP ticket package -- a bonus for taking the time to hit the entire show or buy the full package for all of the other bonuses -- but other signers will take some planning to land the ones you want.

It's tough to see everything at the show -- it's that big -- and the time it takes to work through autograph lines is valuable in that it impedes your shot at seeing it all. With that said, here are my picks -- one per day -- to grab off the autograph list. (Keep reading for the full signers list in a gallery at the end.)

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A Super Bowl LI ring issued to a member of Tom Brady's family is up for grabs right now via Goldin Auctions.

The size 10.5 world champions ring weighs 77.3 grams and is identical to the one issued to the quarterback who led his New England Patriots to a shocking come-from-behind overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons a year ago. It's a 10 karat white-gold ring with 260 diamonds worked into the design.

It's believed to be the first ring or award tied to Brady to be hit the open market, and bidding opened at $20,000 -- and there's already action with the bidding.

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Want to collect someone who's very affordable and relatively solid on the field?

Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn made a case for himself on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys when he did something that's only been equaled or topped by three other players since 1982 when the sack became an official NFL stat. He had six sacks of Dak Prescott -- just one short of the NFL record -- and he wasn't boisterous about the big game afterward.

“I only have one move and it worked,” Clayborn told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I play the same way every game and it lucked out for me today."

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Look away, Atlanta Falcons fans.

Nike revealed a new shoe on Thursday -- the only one made -- that takes us all back to Super Bowl LI. How? It's made out of game-used footballs from the New England Patriots' historic comeback win.

It's a single Nike Air Force Low SB51 Comeback and it's going to be auctioned for charity.

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Apparently Takk didn't take the time to sign all of his stickers for Panini America -- and now the company is replacing the cards.

The company announced on Friday night that some of the autographs of former UCLA Bruins football star Takkarist McKinley -- a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons -- will be replaced by those requesting them.

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The champs are here -- and "here" is Panini Instant.

The New England Patriots' stunning come-from-behind overtime victory in Super Bowl LI on Sunday is now documented via a new commemorative football card set from Panini America revealed on Wednesday.

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If you didn't know, Super Bowl LI is on Sunday with the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots facing off for top honors in the NFL -- something the Patriots have done four times and something the Falcons have come up short at grasping one previous time.

We all know the household names here and that list starts with the quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Matt Ryan, but we also should all know that this is one of those games where an unknown and cardless player could become a postseason legend like Malcolm Butler two years ago.

So, who else should be on the radar of football collectors already?

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They're nearly already sold out, but Panini America's Private Signings packs are back with Super Bowl LI nearly upon us.

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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 five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Big breaks, Dr. Who, Matt Ryan, SI Swimsuit cards & more.

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Five catches, 124 years and two touchdowns.

That's the final line for Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown in Sunday's 30-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins in their playoff-opening game. At this point, it's the kind of showing that we expect from one of the league's elite who had 106 catches for 1,284 yards and 12 TDs this season.

His 2010 Rookie Cards show him fresh out of Central Michigan and can be found in more than 20 brands that season, including Absolute Memorabilia, Bowman Sterling, Certified, Classics, Crown Royale, Donruss Elite, Epix, Exquisite Collection, Limited, Gridiron Gear, Plates & Patches, Threads, Contenders, National Treasures, Prestige, Rookies & Stars, SP Authentic, SPx, Score and Sweet Spot. You can expect to pay top dollar for anything of him that's relatively rare and his auto RCs (Exquisite, Plates & Patches, Contenders, National Treasures, SPA and SPx) will be even more volatile and in-demand. It just comes with the territory.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

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We're down to the last 12 NFL teams and that means we have just one question for the remainder of the football calendar.

[polldaddy poll=9625420]

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

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

While there might be a quarterback controversy brewing in The Big D, there's no doubting who the top RB is for the Dallas Cowboys after a 30-17 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

It's Ezekiel Elliott and his 134-yard, two-touchdown day has cemented him as one of the front-runners among rookies this season -- on a historic level, too.

According to Elias, his 546 rushing yards this season are the fifth-best total in NFL history for the first five games of a player's career. The only better starts are Eric Dickerson (645 yards), Adrian Peterson (607), Todd Gurley (575) and Billy Sims (560). That's not bad company -- and that's good news for Elliott's cardboard given how Gurley looked last year.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

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The Atlanta Falcons' 48-33 win over the reigning NFC champs on Sunday had plenty of offensive fireworks, but two players stood above the rest. Matt Ryan's 503 passing yards and four TDs were impressive but what was even more impressive is that Julio Jones was responsible for 300 of them.

Jones' 12-catch day came 37 yards short of setting an NFL record for most receiving yards in a game with his 300 being the sixth-best game in league history. Willie "Flipper" Anderson set the mark with 336 in a game against the Saints back in 1989.

Not a bad day ... especially for a guy who hasn't signed a heavy amount of autographs in his six years as a pro.

>> Click here to shop for football boxes on BlowoutCards.com.

Keep reading for more guys who generated some buzz on the field this week.

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After five years, he has signed.

Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones has signed his 2011 cards -- Rookie Cards that were all issued as redemption cards a half-decade ago.

"The folks inside the Panini America Acquisitions department never lost hope," read a statement on the company's blog. "And they never gave up. They kept working the phones, and remained in frequent contact with the NFLPA and Jones’ representatives in hopes of one day landing that elusive 'Yes' that would lead to Jones signing the thousands of key cards that had been safely in his possession since he received them during his rookie season."

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There are many sports cards sets out there from the past that aren't valuable in the financial way at all but they can carry some intrinsic quality that should just resonate with some collectors anyway.

Maybe it's just because Buzz ripped these packs in the past -- or maybe because they are just so much more different than anything made in the years since -- but one set that feels that way for me is 1992 Pro Line Portraits. It's a football card set that's simple -- portraits on the front -- and oddly non-statistical with thoughts from the person on the back. Most are football players, but some are players' wives and others are celebrities who have a fondness for the game. One of those people, for example, is Muhammad Ali and you can see his Team NFL insert card (No. 1 in the set) above. The biggest draw of these back then? There was an autographed card guaranteed in every box.

For a simple Sunday item -- call it a Sunday Six -- here's a look at six fun cards from the product.

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