What: 2019 Panini Fortnite Series 1 trading cards
Arrives: April 30
Box basics: 24 six-card packs per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The gaming franchise hits cardboard with a meaty card set with various levels of scarcity that let fans play along in a different way.

Keep reading for more and 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 Today: National Treasures NFL arrives ... and Topps Heritage has a surprise format this year, too. See it all in today's edition.

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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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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: Collectors react to new homes for Odell Beckham Jr. and Le'Veon Bell, showing off a rare Tom Brady card, a rare racing box and big pulls from MLB and NFL boxes.

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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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DEREK JETER'S CLEATS
The Item: Derek Jeter 2018 Topps Diamond Icons game-used cleat card (1/1)
The Price: $210.50 after five bids (with five-plus days remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a one-of-a-kind crazy card with the bottom of one of this future Hall of Famer's cleats embedded into the piece. These rare pulls came from a high-end brand that's loaded with nothing but hits and these are among the most-unique cards Topps has ever made. Simple as that. It will be a fun auction to watch, though for my personal tastes I might just chase a common player's cleat -- or a complete Jeter cleat. (I think it might get that kind of pricey with this auction.)
Similar Pieces: Check out Derek Jeter autographs on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 Topps Diamond Icons

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: Eye of the beholder in the lot above, big eBay discount alert and other big pulls 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: Antonio Brown to the Raiders, over-delivering Donruss, "Monster Hit Alert" in NBA, Power Cube power, Game of Thrones and more.

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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: Big pulls from NFL and MLB releases and some interesting hobby questions for the weekend.

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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: 2016 Donruss baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
27 of 195 (14 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Ichiro Suzuki, Pete Rose, Adrian Beltre, Stephen Strasburg, Alex Rodriguez, Bo Jackson, Anthony Rizzo, Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson

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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: Big BlowoutTV pulls, inside two 2019 Donruss cases, Antonio Brown, Star Wars and more.

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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: Domingo Ayala in 2019 Donruss, several salty discussions, Michael Jordan underwear news and more in today's edition.

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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 ...

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DAK & THE DETAILS
The Card: Dak Prescott 2018 Panini National Convention Sparkle Relics (/15)
The Price: $4.95
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card has a few things going for it and it was found in a show promo pack instead of some super-pricey box, which is a plus for me and my bargain-minded buys. (I like good pulls from cheaper places. They just seem more interesting ... or at least more of a challenge.) I picked this one off primarily because it's got a "prime" type swatch from a game-used football on this parallel and these inexpensive cards are gimmes for me since there simply aren't as many game-used football cards out there vs. other pieces of equipment. I did a double-take when I saw the serial-number, though -- his jersey number -- and that made it a done deal.  To me that adds to the appeal of this card and I'm still a big fan of memorabilia cards. Is this a money card? Probably not, but I'm a collector not a flipper and it just seemed like a no-brainer for the price and scarcity.
Grab a pack/lot: Check out the promo packs section

Keep reading for six more interesting items ...

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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: About that "found some vintage" thread, about the RC definition and collecting tips, big pulls and more.

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What: 2018-19 Panini Spectra basketball cards
Arrives: May 8
Box basics: Four autographs and one memorabilia card per eight-card box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Spectra takes to the court one more time with a new rookie class but the same colorful hits-driven array that collectors have come to expect from this brand.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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Basketball collectors now have another reason to hit the hobby shop daily.

The annual Panini NBA Player of the Day promo is back and it gives basketball collectors a little extra to check in on when they rip into packs of Panini America cards at participating shops through April 14.

Among the prizes? The chance to spend the say with an NBA player as well as autographed cards and other bonuses.

“The Player of the Day promotion helps hobby shops sell more trading cards while rewarding collectors who purchase Panini America products,” said Jason Howarth, Panini VP of Marketing. “We are thrilled to support hobby shops selling our NBA trading cards by expanding this proven promotion to even more hobby shops. We look forward to creating more memorable experiences for collectors this year.”

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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: Plenty of MLB chatter, NBA breaks and King Kong Bundy among today's links.

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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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CONTENDERS OPTIC ARRIVES
The Item: Josh Allen 2018 Panini Contenders Optic Gold Vinyl autograph (1/1)
The Price: $2,147 after 29 bids (six days remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This brand takes one of the most historically popular brands for football collectors, Contenders, and gives it an Optichrome rainbow with a lot of ink to chase. You get two autos per box but the key cards of the key rookies -- not easy pulls in this format -- are the driving force and command big cash when you find them. With a box price and format that puts the focus on the hits and the chase more than an overall collecting experience with many packs, this one is a brand that adds to the big-hit oomph when you find one. This card shows you that as it's already in big interest. It should be interesting to see how this auction goes. I'm not that big of a fan of how the text is wiped out in this design, but it's clear that the bidders don't care -- it's a big card.
Similar Pieces: Other Contenders Optic autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 Contenders Optic boxes

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

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Baseball, football ... it doesn't matter -- Kyler Murray has a new team.

The Heisman Trophy-winning former Oklahoma Sooners star has signed an autograph deal with Panini America with the news formally announced on Monday. His first autos will arrive this month in 2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks and 2019 Score will be the home of his first NFL cardboard.

“Kyler is one of the most dynamic playmakers to enter the NFL Draft and he has raised the level of excitement for this entire draft class since declaring,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop in a prepared statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with him to deliver to fans and collectors his only officially licensed trading cards and autograph cards for the 2019 season.”

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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: NFL cards that never were, big new pulls from the NFL, WWE 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: Trae Young, Contenders Optic Michael Jordan, Topps Heritage and more 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: 2018-19 Donruss Optic basketball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Packs per box: 10 (eight standard, two Hyper Pink)
Cards per pack: 4 per standard, 5 per Hyper Pink
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 20 of 150 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards: Ben Simmons, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rajon Rondo, Lauri Markkanen, Goran Dragic, Evan Turner, J.R. Smith, Denzel Valentine, Dion Waiters, Jrue Holiday, Zach Collins, DeWayne Dedmon, Patrick Beverley, Clint Capela, George Hill, Wesley Matthews, Mario Hezonja, Kyle Korver

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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: 2014 Topps Chrome Update #MB46 Mookie Betts RC
The Reason Graded: I didn't buy a ton of Mega Boxes when these arrived five years ago, but I did land this card, which is a Rookie Debut version for then Red Sox rookie and now-reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts. This card is an ironic classic in that he's captured taking the field at Yankee Stadium. That aspect of the photo isn't as easily seen in Chrome form, but I opted to get this pricier version of the card graded. I'll probably grade some more of my others in the future. For now, though, this one leads the way.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I wasn't that confident in this one as I just have bad luck at times with Chrome cards, but this one turns out to be one of the highest-graded copies. I'll take it, especially considering what I've got up next.

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

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If you weren't sure that Tom Brady is the greatest player in the NFL today, don't worry -- his Rookie Card will tell you.

The 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket autograph you see here is limited to just 100 copies -- this being card No. 41 of that fun -- and it sold for six-figures on eBay last night.

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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: 2019 Topps Heritage chatter, big pulls, hobby-funding strategies and more in today's edition.

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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: 2019 Donruss NASCAR cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7 (six standard, one Optic Red Wave pack)
Cards per pack: 8 per standard, three per Red Wave
Cards in this box: 51
Set completion: 31 of 160 (19 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Chase Elliott, Bill Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Mark Martin, Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Busch, Terry Labonte, Ned Jarrett, Tony Stewart

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