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: Big NBA moves, big blaster box pulls, The National, a huge first Star Wars pull and breaking down 32 -- yes, 32 -- Chronicles NBA blasters.

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What: 2019 Panini Absolute Football cards
Arrives: Aug. 28
Box basics: Three autos and two memorabilia cards per three-pack box (12 boxes per case via two inners)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Absolute returns with a number of new looks in this year's version with many of the familiar inclusions -- and plenty of memorabilia -- collectors have come to expect in this long-running brand.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2019 Panini Spectra football cards
Arrives: Sept. 13
Box basics: Four autographs and six memorabilia cards per four-pack box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Spectra is back with a new round of colorful designs, new rookies and plenty of parallels as well as new inclusions that include a Tom Brady tribute set for starters and new scarce Psychedelic parallels (above) seen across the entire product.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2019 Panini XR football cards
Arrives: Sept. 18
Box basics: Two autos and one memorabilia card per two-pack box (15 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Panini XR hits the gridiron for a third season with a new rookie crop but a familiar format that will include a 1/1 patch auto in every case.

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 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 a mix of hits and basics.

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A SMALL USA BASEBALL GEM
The Card: Tony Zych 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars USA National Team Premier Materials Cap Flag Patches (/4)
The Price: Under $10
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: USA Baseball products have some types of hits you just don't see elsewhere and they aren't all one-of-kind creations, either. Zych was still a college player here but he did make it to The Show for three seasons with the Mariners but he's ultimately not why you see this one here -- it's because it's a unique patch from a cap that's a small version of a larger chase that USA sets are known for. This USA crop in this particular release is stacked between all of the USA ink and mem cards and a strong list of names who have made MLB. Other players with cards like this one in those cheap boxes? Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray and Kolten Wong. There are 27 players with these cards, though not all have four copies. Either way, this one is a gem to me as I have always had a soft spot for prime USA stuff. Why? Because I've actually pulled some -- they're far from impossible finds and they're not from high-end boxes price-wise.
Grab a box right here: 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars

Keep reading for several 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: 2018-19 Panini Chronicles basketball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 40
Base set completion: 
14 of 100 (14 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo Russell, Wesley Matthews, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela, Zach LaVine, Montreal Harrell

Base set (Chronicles) Rookie Cards (4) – Kevin Knox, Michael Porter Jr., Allonzo Trier, Jaren Jackson Jr.

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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 UNIQUE TOUCH 
The Item: Juan Soto 2019 Topps Museum Collection bat barrel nameplate 1/1
The Price: $2,999.99 Buy-It-Now (or make offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: His full name is Juan Jose Soto Pacheco and it's "Soto Pacheco" that he has chosen to put on his bats. You can get a good look at one right here (click to zoom), though the MLB Authentication sticker (albeit unreadable) should be enough to make worries lessen. This is one simple personalized touch that shows how game-used bats (and premium bat cards) can be a lot more interesting. This card is an example of the big stuff that is possible in boxes of Museum Collection, though as a 1/1 card this one is no longer potentially in a box if you grab one.
Similar Pieces: 2019 Topps Museum Collection autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019 Topps Museum Collection boxes

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

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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 ...

The Card: 2018 Topps Home Run Challenge Silver #HRCAJ Aaron Judge (/59)
The Reason Graded: Aaron Judge recently returned from injury for the first time since April and that prompted me to lead things off with this rare card I recently got slabbed. I only have this card because I managed to predict one of his homers not long after he returned from injury last year after missing more than a month and a half. Injuries have mounted for his popular slugger the last two years, but I figured this card, given its scarcity, was one worth a slab.
The Grade: BGS 10

Reality Check: The pop report is a little iffy on this one -- there could be others not slabbed* -- since the checklist isn't complete on their site for this set this is merely a guess. (Pop report and checklists typically sync up.) I have gotten very few 10s in the last few years, but I thought this would be a contender and it was. Other Judge cards from this set -- there are at least three before this one -- are a lot rarer. Meanwhile, this appears to be the only Judge (of any color) from this set that's been slabbed.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

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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: New breaks, big pulls, The National, the London Series and more in today's edition.

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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: A.J. Hinch visits Topps, MLB pulls, new NFL cards and more.

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What: 2019 Panini National Treasures college football cards
Arrives: Aug. 21
Box basics: Six autographs or memorabilia cards per eight-card box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: National Treasures returns to the college gridiron for another season with stars from the past and newly drafted names all showcased with plenty of ink and memorabilia.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2019 Panini Origins football cards
Arrives: Aug. 21
Box basics: One on-card rookie autograph, one jumbo rookie patch auto and one jumbo or patch memorabilia card per seven-card box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Origins takes to the gridiron for a fourth season with a continued focus on rookies, patches and on-card autos with a colorful design that helps carry the energy of a new NFL newcomer crop and showcases their first on-card autos in their pro colors.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2019 Panini Chronicles baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 21
Box basics:  Three autographs and one memorabilia card per six-pack box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Panini once again will test the waters of several familiar brands -- and introduce a few new ones, too -- for baseball fans all in one place with a focus on this year's strong rookie class.

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

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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 National and some simple hobby questions/debates for you to chew on in today's edition.

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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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FREAKISHLY PRICED ... BUT THEY SELL
The Item: Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 Panini Prizm Purple Die-cut Prizms (34/49)
The Price: $39,999.95 Buy-It-Now 
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Believe it or not, this is not even close to the priciest eBay auction for the new NBA MVP and his first-year rarities. Why is this one so steep? It's rare and it's a one-of-a-kind card within a print run of 49 copies -- it's No. 34, his uniform number. A total of 41 active eBay auctions have asking prices of $10,000 or more for a Giannis card. The highest? A mere $189,999 -- see the link below for what that is. Are people buying? Hit the completeds -- the answer is yes. Nothing has hit the $100,000 mark but they are getting close -- and those were back in April and May ... pre-MVP. It's enough to make you shake your head ... and then admire the market ... and then buy a box or case to rip.
Similar Pieces: Giannis Antetokounmpo autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2013-14 NBA 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: NBA award-winners, busting a "Trading Cards" pack, big pulls and The National in today's edition.

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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: 2015 Panini Contenders baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
19 of 99 (19 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable pulled on base cards: Michael Conforto, Dansby Swanson, Tony Gwynn, Mike Schmidt, Will Clark

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Deivi Garcia, RHP, Yankees — Double-A Trenton Thunder
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Garcia continued one of the best seasons by a pitching prospect by spinning a masterpiece against Richmond. He struck out the first eight batters and was in complete control the rest of the way. The performance boosted his strikeouts per nine innings to 15.1, the best in the minors among qualified starters. It also tied the Trenton franchise record for strikeouts in a game, which was set by Adam Warren in 2010."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): Just MiLB team set cardboard 
First Chrome auto: Still to come
One auto to consider: Still to come
Buzz’s card take: You may remember seeing this guy here about a year ago and nothing has ultimately changed on the cardboard front. He's just 20 and rising in the minors so that cardboard should be coming at some point. He's 3-4 with a 3.02 ERA and a ridiculous 100 strikeouts in 59-plus innings pitched this season so there should be some serious demand once that first ink hits. His few MiLB team sets should be watched right now, too. (There's next to nothing on eBay right now for him.)

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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The speculation and big business that will be Zion Williamson basketball cards this season and in the future is already apparent -- but in a negative way -- over on eBay.

How do we know? The sales of fake cards. Yes, fake cards.

Fleer, Gatorade, McDonald's, DC Comics, Marvel Comics and even Rated Rookie (on an opposing company's design) trademarks can be seen on Williamson cards not made or authorized by their respective owners -- and there's no compensation being made to owners of intellectual property of the Duke Blue Devils the NBA or the New Orleans Pelicans for the use of their logos and other legally protected intellectual property.

The memorable designs of the past like the 1986-87 Fleer set above -- owned by Upper Deck -- are also being absconded (though many designs aren't generally trademarked) and other notable athletes such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James -- guys whose image rights are also in high-dollar demand -- also are having their likenesses used without authorization (in NBA uniforms) to make money selling fake cardboard that's all over eBay. (Jordan is exclusive to Upper Deck for card appearances and his ink is also an exclusive there just like it is for James.) Photographers also aren't being compensated for the use of their work like they would be when card companies pay them or their employers to use images. Then there are "graded" cards with autographs attached, cards with facsimile autos in slabs and many cards in sealed holders emulating card companies' uncirculated efforts.

Right now, there are nearly 1,300 different active eBay auctions for "Zion Williamson" in the basketball cards category -- meanwhile just two legitimately authorized cards exist right now. Expand that search to all items and there's plenty more to be found.

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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: Alex Verdugo's big game, Yordan Alvarez keeps pounding, MLB game-used values, Michael Jordan on defense, The Zion Effect and The National all in today's edition.

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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: Some interesting hobby questions, big breaks, The National and more in today's edition.

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That big name in the NBA has his first cardboard already.

No, not Commissioner Adam Silver -- though he has a few new options here -- it's No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson, the big-scoring, shoe-splitting Duke star who was taken by the New Orleans Pelicans last night.

Panini Instant cards for a number of draft picks are available now.

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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: NBA Draft chatter, MLB and NFL pulls, inside a Justin Verlander collection, The National and a "controversial baseball take."

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What: 2018-19 Panini Contenders Optic basketball cards
Arrives: July 31
Box basics: One autograph per six-card box (20 boxes per case via two inners)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Contenders Optic takes the court for the first time with plenty of color, some rare inclusions and plenty of big names from this year's rookie crop as well as looks at stars from the past and present.

Keep reading for more info and a gallery of images.

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What: 2019 Panini Immaculate Collection college football cards
Arrives: July 31
Box basics: Five autographs or memorabilia cards per six-card box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: College football fans get a new crop of Immaculate cardboard with stars from the recent past as well as College Football Hall of Famers all found in this brand that's once again loaded with hits.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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