Leaf Trading Cards will have some chase cards up for grabs at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention. 

The company revealed a box-break redemption set, a case-break redemption set, its VIP card set and a buying program for the show that kicks off on July 28 in Chicago.

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Update (July 4): You can now potentially find one of four VIP passes to this event within this year's Blowout MegaMix boxes.

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The National's first side event this year has been revealed -- and it's coming via Onyx Authenticated.

On the Thursday night of the show (July 29), the company and its VIP ticket holders will take over the Dave & Busters in Rosemont, Ill., for a three-hour Onyx Authenticated VIP Party with guests including baseball Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Fergie Jenkins as well as NFL stars Frank Gore and Chad Johnson. 

Tickets are $899 and can be found here. Keep reading for a rundown of what each VIP attendee will receive.

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This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five interesting cards from 2021 Topps Stadium Club.

ALTERNATIVE INK & BASE
If you poke around auctions you'll see guys with standard autos and then variations that use the 1991 Stadium Club design in place of the 2021 photo bar. And others use other looks (that are ultimately pretty much the same in the big picture of things) and then you can find variations without autographs, too. This being the 30th anniversary of Stadium Club it all works --  see the checklist here.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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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 ...

VG THE MVP (SO FAR)
The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Stadium Club #301 -- Rookie Card 
The Reason Graded: In my first bulk sub to CSG, which I recently got back -- 80 working days, by the way -- I worked in a few recent-year Rookie Cards just to see how some different kinds of stock are handled by the veteran grading company that has just turned its attention to sports cards starting this year. I sent this in before the season started, of course, but it looks like a smart slab now as Vladdy is demolishing things in MLB and is on pace for a monster season if he keeps at it.
The Grade: CSG 9

Reality Check: There's no pop report yet -- they say it's coming* -- but this one comes in at my anticipated mark, though I would have been happy to get a higher one. (You'll see those in the coming months.) This one has some high gloss and somewhat softer stock -- not the easiest grading combo -- but I think it's the backs here that are the key. This one not getting a higher grade made me wonder what might be holding it down -- a deal where I'd want to see subgrades, but not for $10 more. I do think, based on my results, that CSG is grading to a stricter standard (like BGS) vs. others (at least historically until recently) so I'm also OK with cards not checking in at 9.5s or 10s in bulk. My second bulk sub -- hopefully back soon, too -- included more stuff like this.

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

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What: 2021 Pro Set Sports trading cards
Arrives: Sept. 29
Box basics: Two autographed cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Pro Set's return to cardboard this year takes a wider look at the sports world with this release that's all about autographs and a multi-sports approach while revisiting past designs from the company. Among the surprises? Sports that Pro Set hadn't done in the past ... with some legendary ink in the mix.

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2021 Topps Stadium Club Chrome baseball cards
Arrives: Nov. 10
Box basics: One autograph per 14-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Stadium Club Chrome once again with throwbacks to the original 1991 SC release as well as plenty of the fun inclusions that collectors have come to expect via the overall line.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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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EPIC AUTO, EPIC BARGAIN
The Card: Joe Namath 2014 Topps Five Star Autograph
The Price: Under $70
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was one of my last eBay Bucks pick-ups last year -- I got it for substantially less than that bargain price -- and it's a perfect card with its auto, colors, thick stock that's not over-foiled and a retro photo that isn't perhaps perfect but works very well in conjunction with the ink. Did I need it? For this price I absolutely did ... though I have a few autos for the Hall of Famer. This is right up there as one of the nicest sigs I have and this should be an SP auto, too, though it's not numbered. I think Five Star ink is always worth a look, especially for NFL since we don't see it now. Meanwhile, Namath's place as a football icon is bigger than his place in the record book stats-wise these days, but he's a giant in pop culture of that time ... and is easily undervalued right now in a lot of instances.
Grab a box right here: Topps Five Star boxes (all sports and years)

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2021 Topps Five Star baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 20
Box basics: Two autographs per box (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Five Star hits the field once again with a familiar lineup of inclusions and nothing but ink featuring stars from the past and present.

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

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What: 2021 Topps 1989 Bowman x Keith Shore baseball cards
Arrives: Wave 1 live now via Topps.com
Box basics: 10 cards per pack
Order: Click here when available

What's buzz-worthy: Artist Keith Shore takes on the 1989 Bowman set -- at least in the pose of the Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card -- with a four-wave set released online beginning today.

Keep reading for more as well as 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: 2018 Panini Stars & Stripes USA Baseball cards (hobby)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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What: 2021 Topps Triple Threads baseball cards
Arrives: Nov. 10
Box basics: Four hits in every two-pack box (18 boxes per case via two inners)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Triple Threads returns with some new inclusions, a new crop of rookies and plenty of star power from the past and present.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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 ... a number of pick-ups from recent months.

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(FULLY) LOADING UP 
The Card: Rhea Ripley 2020 Topps WWE Fully Loaded Green (/50) & Purple (/25) Chair Relic Autos
The Prices: Less than others have paid ... but high for me.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The Green parallel here was one on my radar long, long ago when the teaser images from stars were teased online as they signed here. Ripley, now the Raw women's champ, is one of only a few younger stars in this release and was immediately on my radar when I didn't land any of her ink in my pre-ordered case. Meanwhile, the rarer Purple was a recent pick-up as it was bargain-priced compared to others out there on the secondary market. Her stuff is popular with the standard version the only card here typically under $100 on eBay, while the 1/1 version of this card recently sold for $1,000. Her autographs in other releases generally sell pretty well but I haven't seen others that high recently ... but I'm sure it's possible. Some Superfractors should be out there somewhere from Chrome and Finest. I'm not alone as a buyer, either.
Grab a box right here: 2020 Topps WWE Fully Loaded

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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: 1999 Fleer Sports Illustrated baseball cards (retail)
Where to buy: Will take some hunting ...click here for newer MLB

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was 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: 2021 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (hobby box)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was 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: 2020 Topps Update baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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What: 2021 Panini Absolute Baseball cards
Arrives: May 26
Box basics: Two autographs and two memorabilia cards per two-pack box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Absolute takes the field once again with fewer autos (and, in turn, a lower suggested retail price) but plenty of the past and present stars one would expect as well as plenty of memorabilia.

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

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This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five Sports Illustrated covers I'd want on cardboard now in Topps' new card set ... and five more after that.

Junior goes home ... Ken Griffey Jr. | Feb. 21, 2000
It was a blockbuster kind of move, and, while Junior's first SI cover (May 7, 1990) might be in more demand, the portrait on this one would get my cardboard nod first in the new Topps set. Why? It's just a much better photo than his debut. I'm pretty sure I saved my copy of this one from back in the day ... so if there's no card I'll survive. Junior's days in a Seattle uniform seem get more attention than his time with the Reds and that's another reason I'd do this one.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time ... and five more after that.

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We all know the power of Rookie Cards ... but what's a rookie cover card worth?

We're about to find out as Topps launched its 2021 Topps x Sports Illustrated card set today, which will arrive two cards per week for 35 weeks revisiting past covers from the magazine that launched back in 1954 with Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews on the cover ... and with sheets of paper Topps baseball cards inside the first issue, by the way.

The first card in the printed-on-demand series is Mike Trout and his first cover appearance from Aug. 27, 2012.

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What: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition baseball cards
Arrives: June 29, 2022
Box basics: One autograph per 24-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case); No autos guaranteed per 16-pack hobby LITE box (16 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The famed 1952 Topps set gets a go on Chrome in this one -- a massive 700-card set -- with just four cards per pack and plenty of parallels to chase. Plenty.

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

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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: Tech and baseball cards, players' values, a Tampa Bay Bucs repeat in the works, new breaks and a huge 2021 Topps pull.

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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 ... it's a bit heavier on MLB and some vintage edition as I'm still awaiting deliveries.

CLASSIC BATTING LEAD-OFF ...
The Card: Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Topps Traded #41T -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: I'm fine with nines and when I saw this one for $17.50 with no obvious substantial flaws despite its grade I grabbed it. Why? Slabbed early cards of all-time greats like him from the 1980s and 1990s are destined to be moving as slab-hungry buyers want more and more as the obvious other bigger cards just keep rising. I, myself, am not all that interested in chasing Griffey's Upper Deck RC at a meaty price in a high-grade slab (I have a couple around/below this mark and a few raw not worth slabbing) but this one always has a little more appeal to me since it's cheap ... and I actually had a few way back then.
The Grade: BGS 9

Reality Check: This card isn't the easiest grade with weird surface roller lines, centering and back edge chipping issues always possible based on what I've seen. While a BGS 9 or 9.5 isn't all that rare, I'm fine with it for the price -- a 9.5 will definitely cost more and the most-common grade is actually lower than this. That population of 10s is surprising but I'm not that surprised there are no truly perfect copies. I don't think its possible here.

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: 2020 Topps Chrome Update baseball cards (mega box)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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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: 2020 Topps Chrome Update baseball cards (mega box)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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 Series 1 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click here

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

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What: 2021 Break King Stars & Legends
Arrives: April 30
Box basics: At least one graded buyback per three-card box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Break King takes on the legends of the sports world in this one with greats from the past and present in several sports all found here.

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