Buzz Break: 2013 Panini Golden Age sports cards (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: 2013 Panini Golden Age (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24 (plus one box-topper pack)
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 148
Base set completion: 103 of 150 (69 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Tatum O’Neal, Sparky Anderson, Jerry Lewis, Earl Campbell, Grace Kelly, Jim Thorpe, Jimmy Carter, Seabiscuit, Henry Ford, Johnny Carson, Red Grange, Yogi Berra, Mel Ott, Penny Marshall, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mario Andretti, Abraham Lincoln, The Three Stooges and plenty more.

Panini reveals Shohei Ohtani autograph plans in 2018 Donruss

As previously noted here on The Buzz, Panini America’s first baseball card release of the year will include autographs of new Los Angeles Angels signee Shohei Ohtani.

But now we have the specifics for 2018 Donruss and the cardboard to prove it after the former Nippon Professional Baseball star signed for Panini last week.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Feb. 7)

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 Kristaps Porzingis injury news, ponder Shohei Ohtani’s impact in 2018 Bowman, pick NBA Rookie of the Year contenders & more.

Only one of John Mahoney’s past roles included baseball cards

He might be best-remembered as the curmudgeon father of Frasier Crane on NBC’s Frasier, but decades in acting only led actor John Mahoney to appear in a number of memorable roles.

But only one led him to appear on baseball cards.

The actor died on Sunday at 77 after a brief health battle, years after he played William “Kid” Gleason, the manager of the 1919 Chicago White Sox in Eight Men Out. 

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Feb. 6)

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: Nothing but big pulls from around the collecting world — and even a Christian Slater rainbow — in today’s edition.

Revisiting a favorite Hank Aaron baseball card on his 84th birthday

On this day in 1934 in Mobile, Ala., Henry Louis Aaron was born — and 20 years later he made his big-league debut for the Milwaukee Braves.

Twenty-two years after that? Hammerin’ Hank’s career ended — in the uniform of the Milwaukee Brewers — with him atop the all-time home run list. All of this is a simple but impressive stat-sheet reality that you can revisit here but should know.

What some younger collectors may not realize, though, is that one of his baseball cards arrived noting his new record before it actually happened and before it was on the back of his card, instead of the year after as it really should have been. (It’s actually among my favorite Aaron cards, too, making the birthday the reason you’re reading this.)

Shohei Ohtani autographs are on the way … but which one arrives first?

Shohei Ohtani autographs are on the way and there’s only one question left for Topps to reveal.

Which one’s first?

Buzz Break: 2018 Topps Series 1 MLB cards (Walmart-version blaster 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: 2018 Topps Series 1 (Walmart blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (all formats)
Packs per box: 11 (10 plus patch pack)
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 101
Base set completion: 
76 of 350 (22 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards of note – Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Andrew Benintendi, George Springer (World Series)

Rookie Cards (10) – Rafael Devers, Ozzie Albies, J.P. Crawford, Miguel Andujar, Anthony Banda, Brian Anderson, Nick Williams, Erick Fedde, Dominic Smith, Luis Santos

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Feb. 2)

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: Nothing but big pulls from MLB, WWE, NFL, NBA and the Olympics.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Feb. 1)

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: Long-term projects completed, storing oversized hits and big pulls from around the collecting world.

Topps Home Run Challenge cards bring fantasy element to 2018 Topps

If you’ve ripped into packs of 2018 Topps Series 1, odds are that you’ve seen one insert that you may not realize is a bit different than the rest.

It’s the Topps Home Run Challenge, which is a new contest card (one per hobby box) that weaves some fantasy baseball elements into your collecting experience in one simple way — predicting home runs.

The Jake Lamb card you see here? It’s what I found in a box of 2018 Topps that I ripped yesterday, so I opted to see what it was all about.

Buzz Break: 2018 Topps Series 1 MLB cards (hobby box + silver pack)

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 Topps Series 1 baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 36 (plus one silver Chrome pack)
Cards per pack: 10 (four in Chrome)
Cards in this box: 365
Base set completion: 
322 of 350 (92 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards of note – Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, Bryce Harper, Jose Altuve, Dansby Swanson, Giancarlo Stanton, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Manny Machado, Miguel Cabrera, Buster Posey, Carlos Correa

Rookie Cards (40) – Rhys Hoskins, Rafael Devers, Victor Robles, Amed Rosario, Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, Garrett Cooper, J.P. Crawford, Max Fried, Lucas Sims, Luiz Gohara, Ozzie Albies, Jackson Stephens, Greg Allen, Richard Urena, Austin Hays, Jimmie Sherfy, Raudy Read, J.D. Davis, Andrew Stevenson, Chris Rowley, Willie Calhoun, Dillon Peters, Zack Granite, Nicky Delmonico, Harrison Bader, Luis Santos, Dominic Smith, Ryan McMahon, Cam Gallagher, Aaron Slegers, Brandon Woodruff, Alex Verdugo, Francisco Mejia, Nick Williams, Brian Anderson, Walker Buehler, Tyler Mahle, Erick Fedde, Jack Flaherty

PSA authenticated or graded 10 of most-expensive items sold in 2017

Just 10 of the most-notable items in the sports world that were sold in 2017 totaled more than $6.7 million in sales, ranging from the $1.68 million Norman Rockwell piece you see here to high-grade copies of Mickey Mantle‘s iconic 1952 Topps card.

And they all had one thing in common — PSA or PSA/DNA authentication.

“We certified a myriad of incredible items last year, and the list is full of sports history from top to bottom,” said Professional Sports Authenticator VP Steve Sloan. “We’ll continue pushing ourselves toward another great year in 2018, and look forward to what’s in store.”

The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company recently took the time to examine the markets last year and touted its Top 10 for 2017. Keep reading to see everything on the list.

Oscar Gamble’s legendary hair was just part of long big-league career

He’ll always be known for his epic Afro and one of the greatest baseball cards ever made — 1976 Topps Traded No. 74T — but he also was a reliable big-leaguer for a long, long time.

He’s Oscar Gamble, a former New York Yankees outfielder who died on Wednesday at age 68. A member of the Yankees for seven of his 17 seasons in MLB, he hit .265 with 200 home runs and 666 RBI in 1,584 games. He also played for the Cubs, who drafted him in the 16th round in 1968, as well as the Phillies, Indians, White Sox, Padres and Rangers.

“He was the player on the Yankees known for big hair,” said his agent, Andrew Levy, on Twitter, “but those who knew him best will remember his big heart.”

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 31)

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 James Harden’s big game, the big NFL trade and its fallout and today’s arrival of 2018 Topps Series 1 baseball cards.

Andrew Benintendi’s MLB debut jersey hits auction block

A young Boston Red Sox star’s first jersey is on the auction block.

That star is Andrew Benintendi and it’s a jersey worn and MLB-authenticated for his MLB debut on Aug. 2, 2016. Not only that, it’s also authenticated to a second game later that month by MLB and is believed to have been worn for his first career home run, too.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 30)

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 trades (Blake Griffin), big careers (Jaromir Jagr) and big pulls.

First Buzz: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards

What: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards
Arrives: April 11
Box basics: Two autographs or memorabilia cards per 12-pack box (24 boxes per case via two inners)

What’s buzz-worthy: Diamond Kings returns for another season with the legends of yesterday and the stars of today with an artistic approach and nods to the rich past of DK baseball cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 29)

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: Waiting for 2018 Topps Series 1 boxes to arrive — where this guy above is card No. 1 — and some big pulls to check out as the clock ticks.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 27)

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: Nothing but big pulls in this weekend edition.

Katie Uhlaender should bring some baseball to Winter Olympics

You might not find Katie Uhlaender in the newest Topps Winter Olympics card set that officially arrives in stores beginning today, but there’s still plenty to collect for those who remember her story from last time around and are looking forward to a new chapter soon.

In the 2014 Winter Games, she came up four-hundredths of a second short of winning a bronze medal in skeleton, but that story isn’t yet final even all these years later. Why? Russia’s Elena Nikitina was stripped of her bronze after doping violations late last year — and it’s quite possible that an adjustment of results will be done soon. Plus, just last week Uhlaender was named to this year’s squad, making her the first four-time Olympian in her sport.

But when it comes to Uhlaender cardboard, it’s actually not all about her, and there’s a pretty good chance we’ll soon see a 1969 Topps baseball card of her father, Ted Uhlaender, on her sled and his 1972 Cincinnati Reds National League Championship ring as part of a necklace she wears while competing around her neck during the action in South Korea.

Hunter Greene will greet and sign for guests at Topps Industry Conference

Topps will have a big name in baseball on hand for its inaugural Industry Conference next month in Scottsdale, Ariz.

It’s Cincinnati Reds prospect Hunter Greene, who was the No.. 2 pick in last year’s MLB Draft, and his first Topps autographs will be part of a meet-and-greet session with those in attendance.

Set in the heart of the Cactus League just as play begins, the conference will include several speakers during the three-day event. Check-ins and a welcome reception are set for the evening of Sunday, Feb. 18 before the full slate begins the following day at the Talking Stick Resort.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 26)

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 reign as we work toward the weekend.

Four of six new Hall of Famers sign autographs for Topps Now

The call to the Hall also means new baseball cards via Topps Now. 

Two of the new members of the Baseball Hall of Fame voted in on Wednesday are signing cards for Topps‘ real-time card program and two others voted in via the Modern Era committee will be inking up, too.

Jim Thome, Chipper Jones, Jack Morris and Alan Trammell also will all have standard cards printed to order after a 24-hour window.

Buzz Break: 2017 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (blaster 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: 11 (10 standard, one patch pack)
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 101
Base set completion: 
78 of 350 (22 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards of note – Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor, Albert Pujols, Dustin Pedroia, Jake Arrieta, Mookie Betts

Rookie Cards (8) – Aaron Judge, Andrew Benintendi, Alex Bregman, Yuliesky Gurriel, Ryon Healy, Braden Shipley, Joe Musgrove, Robert Gsellman

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 25)

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: Hall of Fame chatter, looking forward to 2018 Topps and 2018 Topps Heritage arrivals, big pulls and two 1/1s in the same box.

Topps offers new details on promo packs with 2018 Topps Series 1

We’re just a week away from the arrival of 2018 Topps Series 1 baseball cards and Topps has revealed the bonus promo packs’ content for those buying via hobby shops and via BlowoutCards.com.

Its a Chromed 1983 Topps homage with some modern touches that will arrive along with the hobby’s flagship product next Wednesday.

Keep reading for the full details.

First Buzz: 2018 Topps Stadium Club baseball cards (updated)

What: 2018 Topps Stadium Club baseball cards
Arrives: June 27
Box basics: Two autographs per 16-pack box (16 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Stadium Club brings its traditional lineup of inserts and photography-focused cardboard to the masses once again but with the new Chrome touches found last year as well as autos of the rookie you see above, Shohei Ohtani.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

First Buzz: 2018 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum auto baseballs

What: 2018 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum autographed baseballs
Arrives: Feb. 21
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: TRISTAR’s autographed baseball chase brand is back for another season with a new batch of stars and legends along with some new specialty balls guaranteed per case that help add variety to the chase.

The biggest chase of them all this year? Keep reading for that and a gallery of what’s in this one.

First Buzz: 2017 Leaf Perfect Game All-American Classic baseball cards

What: 2017 Leaf Perfect Game All-American Classic baseball cards
Arrives: March 2018
Box basics: Eight autographs per box (15 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf’s newest Perfect Game All-American release focuses on last year’s squad and once again gives those players patch autos and Metal autos in boxes that have nothing but hits inside.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 23)

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 questions, chewing on Baseball America‘s Top 100 and waiting for 2018 Topps to arrive are among today’s highlights.

Topps details production volumes on Transcendent Party VIP pack cards after serial-numbering errors

Some who ripped into Topps‘ recent Transcendent Party VIP packs found a bit more than they had expected.

They found stamped cards with identical serial-numbering in some cases — multiple 1/1s of the same card, for example — and Topps has issued a list noting what the actual production volumes are for the cards found inside the packs.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 21)

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: Nothing but big pulls on this Sunday that’s all about football.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 20)

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, big fixes and pondering the NBA’s biggest wastes of talent.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 19)

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: Box-topper storage issues, big retro pulls, graded card debates and a Bill Murray autograph for $50?