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 ...

A START FROM THE HARDCOURT
The Card: Ja Morant 2019-20 Donruss Optic #168 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: As I noted last time, I have made an effort to slab some of my better (basic) Rookie Cards for key NBA names in the last couple of years and Morant is among them. Why? Well, I didn't pull all that many to start with, so they still sort of still feel special to me unlike some brands (Chronicles) where I cleaned up and have plenty of the basics. Last time here, you saw my Zion Williamson Optic Rookie Card, so I figured this time I'd drop my Morant ... If I remember correctly I found both of them in the same box.
The Grade: CSG 9.5

Reality Check: It graded well, which is what I was hoping for, and via CSG that's not always the easiest thing to get. Optichome-stock cards of the last couple years seem to always have issues on the backs from what I have seen with chippy edges and sometimes-textured stock that isn't all that smooth and clean. This time? It's clean and I think this mark on the CSG pop report (*they say it's coming very soon) might be a lot smaller than other places.

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: 2011 TRISTAR Obak cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24 (plus one jumbo T4 box-topper)
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 144
Base set completion: 
103 of 110 (94 percent)
Duplicates: 7

Notables on base cards – Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Trout, Nolan Ryan, Josh Gibson, Andre Dawson, High Jennings, "Old Hoss" Radbourn, Hack Wilson, Jack Chesbro, Pete Gray, Ernie Harwell, Kennesaw Mountain Landis, Cap Anson, Johnny Vandermeer, Paul Goldschmidt, Gary Sanchez, Will Clark, "Cool Papa" Bell, George H.W. Bush, Whitey Ford, Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial

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Pete Gray is one of Major League Baseball's more unusual finds in the record books and now he can be found in packs of 2015 Topps Update as a player in its Pride & Perseverance insert set.

It's a 12-card set showcasing past and present players who have had obstacles in life that didn't stop them from appearing in a big-league game.

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