Buzz Break: 2017 Topps Series 1 baseball cards + win a hobby 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: 2017 Topps Series 1 baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (several formats)
Packs per box: 36
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 353
Base set completion: 
301 of 350 (86 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards of note – Chicago Cubs World Series champs, Kris Bryant, Giancarlo Stanton, Felix Hernandez, Jacob deGrom, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Miguel Cabrera, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Corey Seager, Kyle Schwarber, Nomar Mazara, Addison Russell, David Ortiz, Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rizzo, David Ortiz, Jose Altuve

>> Related: Check out all of our handy 2017 Topps Series 1 MLB links here.

Rookie Cards (26) – Dansby Swanson, Yoan Moncada, Andrew Benintendi, Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin, Yulieski Gurriel, Alex Bregman, Orlando Arcia, Braden Shipley, Matt Carasiti, Jake Thompson, Gabriel Ynoa, Reynaldo Lopez, Alex Reyes, Jeff Hoffman, Luke Weaver, Josh Bell, Brian Goodwin, Matt Strahm, Seth Lugo, Joe Musgrove, Tyler Glasnow, David Dahl, Robert Gsellman, Ryon Healy, Chad Pinder

Insert/short-print cards: 51 (all in gallery below along with many base cards)
Rediscover Topps buybacks Blue (1) – Jim Gantner 1985
Rediscover Topps buybacks Bronze  (3) – Greg Pryor 1986, Marvell Wynne 1987, Dave Henderson 1990
Rediscover Topps buybacks Silver (2) – Brett Butler 1985, Donnie Moore 1988
Gold parallel (2) – Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres (/2,017)
Rainbow foil parallel (4) – Mookie Betts, Jameson Taillon, Matt Adams, Ryan Flaherty
Vintage parallel (1) – Geovany Soto (/99)
1987 Topps (9) – Bo Jackson, Nolan Ryan, Andrew Benintendi, Kenta Maeda, Wil Myers, Carlos Correa, Tyler Glasnow, Trea Turner, Alex Bregman
Topps Salute (9) – Buster Posey, Wil Myers, Ichiro Suzuki, Todd Frazier, Carlos Rodon, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Belt, Luke Weaver, Alex Bregman
Bowman Then & Now (4) – Madison Bumgarner, Joey Votto, Feliz Hernandez, Andrew McCutchen
MLB Network (1) – Mike Lowell
First Pitch (5) – William Shatner, Joan Jett, Judd Apatow, Lou Ferrigno, Leslie Jordan
Five Tool (4) – Hunter Pence, Miguel Cabrera, Kyle Seager, Hanley Ramirez
Greatest Memories reprints (5) – Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, Roberto Clemente, Mark McGwire
Topps Now Code Card (1) 

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Major League Material Relics (1) – Javier Baez

What’s Buzz-worthy: The hobby’s annual flagship release is one that gets plenty of attention and because of that it includes plenty of variety, surprises and potential for big cardboard. The First Pitch celebs are back and they are relatively plentiful in a box, while a new inclusion focuses on the talents at the MLB Network and they’re found (surprisingly) just one per box. The celebs don’t have ink, but the Network stars do and that’s not the only way you might find ink here. There are autographs on the super-thick Relics (think Five Star) and World Series-winning Cubs inserts — we didn’t find that ink here but we did find a Cub. How thick are the Relics? You’ll get just three cards in that pack when you pull one. One thing you probably won’t find are a number of short-printed variations — there are some in this release but they seem to be scaled back and aren’t easy pulls — and that’s a plus. (Some may not like the hit they take on case breaks when it comes to re-sale but collectors may think less is more after several years of hunting.) The parallels seem to be downplayed here — just three serial-numbered cards and four Rainbows — which is probably in part due to the design being closer to full-bleed for the second consecutive year. Also a plus if you ask this collector. One interesting feature is adding the players’ Twitter and Instagram handles onto their cards — or a #toppsbaseball hashtag to add to the discussions if they don’t have them. All in all, this one feels like a definite improvement on last season and it seems that the hits and inserts are a tad stronger, too. This particular box wasn’t the flashiest in terms of who we pulled but it shows that there’s plenty to see here. Check out the massive gallery below for even more.

>> Related: Check out all of our handy 2017 Topps Series 1 MLB links here.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: B+
Fun Grade: A

Win a box: How can a sealed hobby box be yours? Leave a comment telling us your favorite card  or insert set in 2017 Topps and we’ll pick a winner from all answers received before March 1. Include your email address and Twitter handle if you have one as those will be the ways we contact a winner. (Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t show immediately. All are held for moderation and then approval.)

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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