Mickey Mantle
First Buzz: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum
What: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum autographed baseballs
Arrives: Jan. 26
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed baseball chase brand hits the field with some big chase baseballs -- think legendary sluggers -- and then a varied mix of stuff in every case.
The biggest chase of them all this year? Keep reading for that and a gallery of what's in this one.
Buzz Buys: Bo Bichette, Gwen Stefani, artistic ink, WWE stars, Ali, The Splendid Splinter & even The Crazy Babysitter Twins
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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A FIRST FOR ME ...
The Card: Bo Bichette 2020 Topps Archives Snapshots Autographs
The Price: More than I like to admit ... but less than a lot of his autos out there
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This guy has almost become my default go-to player recently for MLB, but since he's popular, on a rising team and been on cardboard for some time I haven't really gotten in stuff on on the lower side of things. That's OK -- I don't need a third "personal collection" guy in my cardboard lifetime to do the chase-heavy approach. I'll just dabble. What is this? It's my first autograph for Bo Bichette in a small-but-growing stash that has plenty of typical raw pulls but also plenty of slabs (including a fun one of his brother) to go along with a game-used ball (a past post here) and then even a signed game-model bat for his dad somewhere in my stash. It'll be a while before I add a Bo Bichette game-used bat based on the price, but I could see it happening sometime down the line. (I dabble in a lot of directions.)
Grab a box right here: 2020 Topps Archives SnapshotsKeep reading for more interesting items ...
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Nov. 3)
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: The Atlanta Braves win the World Series, MLB pulls and more in this all-baseball edition.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection
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 boxes: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection (five boxes)
First Buzz Preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.
First Buzz: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection
What: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection
Arrives: Wednesday via Topps.com
Checklist: Click here
Box basics: Five cards per packWhat's buzz-worthy: Topps revisits the career of The Mick with a release that offers up a take on a 1951 Topps card, a journey through his career on basic Topps and Bowman designs and some updates that give us cards from more recent years, picking up where past releases finished off when his card No. 7 was "un-retired" in the Topps flagship set.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Oct. 11)
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: NFL chatter and NFL pulls, a well-timed MLB find, Pawn Stars, vintage stars making moves and more.
First Buzz: 2021 Leaf Art of Sport trading cards
What: 2021 Leaf Art of Sport trading cards
Arrives: December
Box basics: Two autographs and two memorabilia cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Leaf adds a new brand to its array of releases with this multi-sport product including nothing but hits when it arrives late this year.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.
Buzz Buys: Calvin Ridley, Frank Robinson, Project 70, Mickey Mantle, The Goon, MLB icons & chasing a Toni Storm rainbow
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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A RARE ROOKIE CARD PARALLEL
The Card: Calvin Ridley 2018 Donruss Jersey Number parallel (/18) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Price: $37.50
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was more of a premium pick-up for me yet still felt like a steal, too, as this is one of those rarer parallel type of cards where if you pass on one copy you might not see another again as it's a super-rare card in a release with a meaty, multi-format print run -- meaning some of the cards might never be found. It's relatively clean and I also had my eye on it for possible grading but there's a minor wrinkle or surface indent that could get a low mark (maybe). I probably won't risk that but it's no big deal as this one is staying in my school ties part of my stash. It doesn't hurt that he could have an even more dominating kind of season with future Hall of Famer Julio Jones on the move, though.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Donruss NFL (a few formats)Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2006 Topps Update baseball cards (HTA Jumbo)
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: 2006 Topps Update baseball cards (HTA Jumbo)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when/if available)Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
First Buzz: 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards
What: 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards
Arrives: July 21
Box basics: Four autographs and two memorabilia cards per box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Immaculate returns with nothing but hits in the mix once again for stars from the past, present and future all in the mix.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.
Buzz Break: 2021 Panini Diamond Kings (blaster box)
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 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby & FOTL)
Keep reading to see a breakdown and gallery of what's in this one.
Buzz Buys: Joe Namath, Mickie James, Mickey Mantle, new Bo cards, cheap promo items, small-lot surprises & plenty more
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 ...
First Buzz: 2021 President's Choice Solitaire 2.0 sports cards
What: 2021 President's Choice Solitaire 2.0 sports cards
Arrives: Aug. 27
Box basics: Three 1/1 cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: President's Choice is back with a second Solitaire release that includes nothing but 1/1 creations showcasing past greats from all around the sports world.
Keep reading for more information and a gallery of images.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (April 14)
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: Project70, making a list, a big Heritage pull, MLB breaks and more in today's edition.
Mickey Mantle returns soon on new Topps cardboard
The Mick is back on Topps cardboard.
Mickey Mantle will be returning to Topps' MLB products soon as the company revealed the news in an online video Monday night. The move seems like it might be timed to coincide with Card No. 400 in The Living Set that will arrive on Wednesday, though no details were released with the teaser.
The last time Mantle appeared on a substantial number of Topps cards was in 2012. Mantle had been a Panini America exclusive since April 2017.
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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
First Buzz: 2021 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Auto. Photos
What: 2021 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Photo Baseball Edition
Arrives: April 28
Box basics: One autographed baseball photo per pack (15 packs per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line arrives once again with MLB legends and stars of today all in one place -- and with the possibility for autographed memorabilia, too.
Fast Five: Sports Illustrated covers I'd want on cardboard now
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.
Topps launches 70-card Sports Illustrated covers card set
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.
Buzz 8 in 8: Busting 1993 All-Time Heroes of Baseball (Hour 3)
Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 3.
The box: 1993 UD All-Time Heroes of Baseball
The cost: Will vary ... click here for newer MLB boxes
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
First Buzz: 2021 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures New York Dynasty
What: 2021 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures New York Dynasty autographed baseballs
Arrives: March 31
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed baseball turns its attention to New York again with a release focusing on the Yankees -- and with a chase that includes more than just standard-signed baseballs.
Keep reading for more and a gallery of what's in this one.
Buzz Break: 2013 Panini Cooperstown baseball cards
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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: 2013 Panini Cooperstown baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) -- see other baseball boxes here
Keep reading to see what can be found here and a gallery of highlights.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Feb. 15)
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: Breaking 2021 Topps, a game-used item with a different story, Optic NFL rips, a grading sub gone bad, Derek Jeter RCs and "nobody hoards Mickey Mantle cards."
It wasn't only Jordan lighting it up in $33M Goldin weekend
As you may have seen Saturday night, it was a weekend of record-setting sales over at Goldin Auctions -- and it wasn't just Michael Jordan scorching the auction block, either.
The Runnemede, N.J.-based company had sales topping $33 million in the two-day event, which it claimed to be "the largest online sports collectibles auction of all time."
"I’ve been collecting cards and memorabilia for my whole life and I’ve never seen as much interest in the hobby. Long-time collectors have seen the value of their items soar and new collectors have rushed in because they view the hobby as not only fun but also a valuable investment," said company founder Ken Goldin in a prepared release. "It’s gratifying to see the hard work of our team on behalf of our consignors lead to these record setting results."
Making the Grade (Feb.): Grabbing Rookie Cards, NFL slabs, Mickey Mantle, Trish Stratus & slabbed mem-card challenges
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 mix of some new, some old and some football since that season is winding down fast.
NOW'S THE TIME TO BUY ...
The Card: Gleyber Torres 2018 Topps Heritage High Number #603 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: I grabbed this one some time ago because it was on the cheaper side of things and a key Rookie Card in a key release. I own a bunch of these raw but landed this for literally less than it likely would have cost me to grade one (at least if I wanted to get it back in hand this year). The cost? Just $10. So, why do I have this one batting lead-off? A reminder that now is the time to be buying up younger baseball guys ... not when there's hype from spring training (even if that might be delayed).
The Grade: BGS 9Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 18 80 3 0 119 Reality Check: I'm fine with nines and I didn't check the pop report when grabbing this one, which checks in under the most-commonly landed grade. No biggie ... I'm sure the 9.5s that don't always look obviously better cost a lot more than what I paid. There are no sub-grades here, but it seems pretty obvious that the centering is slightly off on this copy but everything else looks pretty good.
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Auction Buzz: Some final-day scorchers happening at Goldin
Update: The two Michael Jordan Rookie Cards sold for $738,000 ... each.
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The action is picking up and the clock is winding down over at Goldin Auctions with some sales records set to be broken tonight and other auction-block scorchers ending tomorrow.
This one is a bit of déjà vu and a broken record about broken records, but this PSA 10 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card you see here is going to set a new mark for the card as it's presently at $300,000 after 15 bids and then will go even higher with the buyer's premium. It's a card that has surged to new highs seemingly weekly as it's an iconic chase item for deep-pocketed new and returning collectors. It set a record (that was then topped) via Goldin in just December when one sold for $215,000. The crazy part? There is a second PSA 10 copy of the same card also up for grabs and doing the same thing ... in this same auction with both ending tonight. (And there are a number of lesser-grade ones, too.)
These cards aren't even the biggest Jordan item up for grabs right now as the Runnemede, N.J.-based auction house has a number of other big-ticket memorabilia pieces and interesting items in its current auction. Don't believe Buzz? Hit that link and look at the first page of huge items ... Jordan leads off with a biggie. If that's not enough, sort 'em by price ... now pick up your jaw.
Keep reading for a deeper look at a few more items presently up for grabs.