Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less 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.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

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IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON ... 
The Item: Paul "Bear" Bryant cut autograph (BAS authenticated)
The Price: Less than a lot of new hobby boxes.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This pricier (for me) pick-up actually came in the last week of last year but I decided to hold onto posting it here until it's the right time -- and since football season is upon us, well, that means now's the time. In the fall of 2019, I bought a starter auto of this legendary Alabama Crimson Tide coach who before Nick Saban was easily the greatest in school history (right now, it's perhaps a toss-up) -- that one was an inscribed nickname-only auto -- for a lot less as it was a cut from a paperback book. This one? It's signed on thick, red paper (almost a light cardboard stock) and I know exactly where it came from -- a 1975 copy of his autobiography, Bear: The Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama's Coach Bryant. I have a clean-but-ratty copy of that book somewhere in my stash from an antiques store find 20-some years ago, but when this popped up from a West Coast mega-dealer of vintage (and selected modern-player) autographed stuff and plenty more I bit. I actually prefer the cut auto feel here in its case vs. the full book as it can be viewed when you find it vs. tucked behind a cover. A lot of Bryant autographs are found these days -- 40 years after his death -- are on signed copies of this book or on a style of autographed photo or two that is nearly always found inscribed and dated to fans or boosters from back in the day. While a photo (preferably slabbed) would be nice, this is a better, simpler item. Authenticated photos can cost less but look iffier depending on condition. I like this one -- and it's card-like feel -- and, heck, I might even do more. They are out there and findable.
Grab a box right here: College football boxes

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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 here on The Buzz ...

SHINE LIKE MINI-DIAMONDS ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition Rose Gold Mini-Diamond Refractors (/75)
The Reason Graded: Generally, I only do Chrome stuff in any kind of volume when it gets cheap -- and in this case they were as I found a run of mega boxes of this one priced less than blasters and that got me to bite. (They're all Buzz Breaks so go check the archives.) One of my better finds in those boxes was this card, which is a super-sparkly take on the 1952 Topps design that, in my mind, does work while a lot of the basic Chrome takes found in this set just don't. (There were a lot of quality control issues with this release.) In this case, since it's a top name, a rare card and a crisp and cleanly centered copy I put it into a bulk sub. Why? I like it and the player ... and I felt like it had some good potential.
The Grade: CSG 9.5

Reality Check: It's the lowest of two copies graded by CSG (now CGC) with the other one checking in where I had hoped to be. No biggie ... I like this card no matter what and all of his stuff -- Rookie Cards, hits and rarities -- should be getting looks as he could become baseball's newest 40-40 Club member -- and might even push higher if he gets really hot with the bat in the second half. With him you never know.

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

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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: 2022 Topps Stadium Club baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this box.

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What: 2023 Onyx Hidden Gemz sports cards
Arrives: July 26
Box basics: One autographed Onyx card and one Hidden Gemz buyback card per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Onyx offers up a simple approach that gives collectors what they want in two simple ways -- an autograph and a buyback in every box.

Keep reading for more info and a checklist.

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What: 2023 Topps Finest baseball cards
Arrives: July 7
Box basics: One auto per six-pack mini box with two minis per master (eight masters per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Finest arrives for another summer with the same format as past years but with a new design, new players and some World Baseball Classic nods in the mix.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2023 Panini Select baseball cards
Arrives: July 19
Box basics: Two autographs and two memorabilia cards per 12-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Select hits the diamond with the familiar tiered approach for standard cards -- this time just prospects and retired MLB stars, though -- and then plenty of what collectors have come to expect elsewhere.

Keep reading for a gallery and more info.

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What: 2023 Onyx Vintage Competitors sports cards
Arrives: May 31
Box basics: Two on-card autographed cards per box (24 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Onyx brings its vintage feel to the multi-sport realm with a mix of legends, current stars promising prospects and even some NIL players who figure to be big deals in future years.

Keep reading for more info and a checklist.

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Simplicity might lead to popularity -- as long as there are still some chase elements.

That might be a reason that Topps UK baseball boxes -- particularly the 2022 set but also the 2021 version -- have been among the most-popular sellers of late in the shop with some big stuff possible in some relatively affordable boxes.

There isn't a hit in every box -- instead the autographs are rarer (one in every third box or so), which helps the value of the big names when you find them -- and the overall lineup of inclusions in the product is smaller. The 2022 base set, for example, is just 220 cards with key names from Series 1, Series 2 and Update all in one spot -- also a plus given the rookies in play in that last one -- with parallels and then a modest number of inserts (three sets and that's it). Boxes are 24 packs of 10 cards, too, giving one a decent statistical shot at any one player in there if just seeking base cards.

Throw in surprises such as the mystery short-prints of the royal family ... and there can be fireworks. (There are at least nine of them by my quick searches and some can have steep asking prices.)

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With these Ticket Stud or Ticket Dud stories I'm turning just a tiny bit of that energy just a few degrees away from cards (we'll still have plenty of them here) for a different kind of cardboard. What am I doing? Simple ... this is an occasional dip into some random ticket lots -- a show and tell showing something small with a story.

This time? A Hall of Famer on the ticket -- and a pair of MLB debuts in the box score.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and tell me if you think it's a Ticket Stud or a Ticket Dud.

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What: 2023 Donruss baseball cards
Arrives: May 10
Box basics: Three autographs or memorabilia cards per 24-pack hobby box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Donruss arrives for a new baseball season with "The Mick" in play as well as a mix of past greats and future stars on a variety of looks.

Keep reading for a gallery and more info.

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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: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

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What: 2023 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures New York Dynasty Autographed Baseballs
Arrives: March 13
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed baseball once again turns its attention to New York for another new release focusing on the Yankees -- and with another chase that includes more than just standard-signed baseballs.

Keep reading for more and a gallery of what's in this one.

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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: 2023 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here

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

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What: 2023 Historic Autographs National Pastime autographed baseballs
Arrives: Jan. 25
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (24 boxes per case via two inners)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs turns its attention to autographed baseballs with this blind-boxed approach that keeps it simple while also offering up some legendary ink from past stars.

Keep reading for more information.

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What: 2022 Topps 75 Years of Rookie of the Year baseball cards
Arrives: Now via Topps.com (ships in 8-10 weeks)
Box basics: One parallel card per 10-card box (autos one in seven boxes)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Topps celebrates decades of Rookie of the Year winners all in one spot with this release that includes ink, though not in every box, as well as some other chase elements.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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What: 2022 Topps x Juan Soto baseball cards
Arrives: Now via Topps.com
Box basics: Two parallel cards via 25-card box (autographs one in five boxes)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Topps teams up with one of baseball's top young stars for a set that offers up some thoughts from the Padres star and his nods to other players in MLB's past and present.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

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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: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter X baseball cards
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

Continue reading →

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: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition baseball cards (mega)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby/LITE)
First Buzz preview with checklist: Click here

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

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What: 2022 Topps Japan Edition baseball cards
Arrives: Now via Topps' Japanese site
Box basics: 24 10-card packs per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The now-annual release of Topps MLB cards for the Japanese market has arrived with a number of new inclusions to go with what's essentially a parallel product with a smaller set and stars from all three flagship series in one spot.

Keep reading for more info on what is in this one.

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What: 2022 Topps UK Edition baseball cards
Arrives: Now via Topps' UK site
Box basics: 24 10-card packs per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The now-annual release of Topps MLB cards for across the pond has arrived with a number of new inclusions to go with what's essentially a parallel product with a smaller set and stars from all three flagship series in one spot.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2022 Topps Brooklyn Collection baseball cards
Arrives: Today via Topps.com
Box basics: Two autographs per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Brooklyn Collection returns for another year with a new retro look, ink in every box, and then some new and past stars showcased on cardboard once again.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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 here on The Buzz ... and it's one of my biggest groupings ever.

RARER THAN RARE ...
The Book: Batman No. 457 -- second-print newsstand edition
The Reason Graded: This one is why you grade. Why? Well this book is more than obscure ... it's obscure on top of obscure with a pop report that shows that in a couple ways. I had this sitting in a junk box of books -- comics bagged in bulk with others taped shut in between a couple boards -- since the late 1990s with it having absolutely no thought in my mind for that time. When I opened up the bag, though, I remembered its cool cover -- that's why I saved it -- and in the here and now it's an example of how the grading world has changed a lot of stuff. It wasn't popular back in the day and that makes it more valuable (potentially) now. What is it? It's a second printing of a newsstand copy for an issue that had the debut of a key character, Tim Drake as Robin. The regular edition of this book has been graded almost 1,400 times -- actually still a modest number for the era -- but a newsstand copy is something else. And a second-printed newsstand copy? Nobody wanted that. How many could have even been made and how many went unsold or were trashed? There's some mystery there as with a lot of things but the pop report talks.
The Grade: CGC 9.8 (Universal)

Reality Check: Just four copies of the 78 graded have checked in at my mark -- not bad considering I got this in some Sears catalog mystery box with like 25 comics for $10 back in the early 1990s. It wasn't a really impressive buy at all at that time -- a lot of stuff that just wasn't appealing or was later printings and I'm betting some of them were pitched or given away. Nobody wanted that then. But now? The numbers game and speculation has people on eBay sellers challenging the market. A 9.6 -- with twice as many copies as this one in existence -- has an eBay asking price of ... well just see it for yourself. It's not alone, either, as a 8.5 checks in with an asking of $3,800, an 8.0 checks in at $3,500 and a 6.5 is $1,499. Other versions (first print direct and newsstand) are cheaper along with direct second prints as they've all got far higher pop reports. People like the easier versions a lot -- eBay highs as much as $255 but not for this one -- and who knows where the other three 9.8s might even be? What might mine command? I'm not sure ... but I know this is pretty solid potential for something that was pocket change from years ago. Again, this is why you grade.

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

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What: 2022 Leaf Metal baseball cards
Arrives: Feb. 24, 2023
Box basics: Five autos and one 1/1 slabbed auto per hobby box (10 per case) or seven autos and two 1/1 slabbed autos and and one 1/1 slabbed proof auto per jumbo box (eight per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Metal is back for another go with two formats -- some exclusives in each -- and a mix of colorful autographed cards showcasing stars from the past, present and future.

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2023 Leaf Superlative Sports
Arrives: Early 2023
Box basics: Two "super-premium cards" per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's high-end line returns with double the number of cards per box in this one with a meaty mix of big-name ink, superstar memorabilia and a range of sports including everything from the stars of the World Cup to the stars of Wrestlemania all in one spot.

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 box: 2022 Topps Archives baseball cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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

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