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 Allen & Ginter baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 25 (24 standard packs plus box-topper)
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 194
Base set completion:
128 of 300 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Notables on base cards – Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Ichiro Suzuki, Buster Posey, Johnny Bench, Nolan Ryan, Hank Aaron, Ken Rosenthal, Krazy George, Ken Griffey Jr., Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, Roger Maris, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Mike Piazza, Don Mattingly, Laurie Hernandez, Cal Ripken Jr., Ernie Banks, Jose Canseco, Nick Jonas, William Shatner
Rookie Cards (18) – Teoscar Hernandez, JaCoby Jones, Jesse Winker, Robert Gsellman, Matt Olson, Ryon Healy, Antonio Senzatela, Chad Pinder, Alex Reyes, Yulieski Gurriel, Hunter Renfroe, Jharel Cotton, Tyler Glasnow, Luke Weaver, Gavin Cecchini, Carson Fulmer, Seth Lugo (SP), Dan Vogelbach (SP)
Insert cards: 63 (most in gallery below along with some base)
Short-prints (Nos. 301-350) (13) – Jonathan Lucroy, Mark Melancon, Danny Salazar, Carlos Martinez, Willie Stargell, Martin Prado, Harmon Killebrew, Charlie Blackmon, Brandon Crawford, J.J. Hardy, Logan Forsythe, Dan Vogelbach (RC), Seth Lugo (RC)
Metal Mini (1) – Jason Heyward (/3)
Mini (8) – Ozzie Smith, U.S. National Park Service, Omar Vizquel, Allie LaForce, Kyle Schwarber, Ty Cobb, Roberto Clemente, Victor Martinez
Mini short-print (1) – Mark Melancon
Mini Allen & Ginter back (5) – Tanner Roark, Kendrys Morales, Brooke Hogan, Tommy Joseph, Giant Panda
Mini Allen & Ginter back short-print (1) – German Marquez
Black Mini (3) – Evan Longoria, Andy Katz, Brandon Finnegan
World’s Dudes (3) – Steel Worker Dude, Ornithology Dude, Surgeon Dude
Bust a Move! (1) – Waltz Dance
Required Reading (1) – War and Peace
Revolutionary Battles (1) – Battle of Quebec, Battle of the Chesapeake
Sport Fish & Fishing Lures (5) – Grouper & Diving Plugs, Wahoo & Plastic Skirted Lures, Walleye & Spinner, Largemouth Bass & Soft Plastic Worm, Dorado (Mahi Mahi) & Large Popper
World’s Fair (5) – The Great Wharf, Sunsphere Facsimile Machine, Ferris Wheel, Monorail
What a Day! (12) – Nolan Ryan, Addison Russell, Mark McGwire, Yoenis Cespedes, George Springer, David Dahl, Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Cabrera, Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Strasburg, Edwin Encarnacion, Max Scherzer
Box Loader (1) – Gary Sanchez (box-topper)
Rediscover Topps buyback (4) – 1984 Alex Trevino, 1988 Atlee Hammaker, 1989 Lou Whitaker, 1993 Mark Gubicza
Autographs/Memorabilia: 3
Framed Autographs (1) – Ty Blach
Full-Size Relics A (1) – Kris Bryant
Full-Size Relics B (1) – Joey Votto
What’s Buzz-worthy: This long-time Ginter collector was on the fence about this one after opening a blaster box but having seen the mix of inserts and many more base cards this definitely feels like Ginter. (Still not totally sold on that framed base set look but it looks good on the minis.) This box over-delivered with a metal mini that’s one in every 1,811 packs (one in 76 boxes or every seventh case) as well as being a box with an auto, albeit not a big one. (Better to have ink than not in my book.) Big autos in this product include Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, Gene Hackman and Floyd Mayweather (all will pay for a good chunk of a case) and the fun finds such as Rip Cards, books, silks and more are all here once again. Surprises in this one also include Sarah Michelle Gellar autos, Relics for the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus as well as Hot Boxes where every base card has a pearlized reflective surface. Although the secondary market is strong so far (so prices are up a bit), hobby boxes are likely your best bet at the eccentricities found in this brand. They won’t all be flashy but when you land one you’ll know it. Look for another break of this one in our next Buzz 12 in 12 marathon next month.
Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: A-
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