Surprises in 2017 Topps include MLB Network, Stephen Colbert’s first pitch, Cubs World Series cards

Although the MLB Network has its share of Hall of Famers like John Smoltz, “Rookie Cards” for some of the other names who bring you the highlights begin arriving on Feb. 1 in packs of 2017 Topps Series 1 baseball cards.

A 10-card release begins a set that will continue in Series 2 and Update later this year and this series will include Lauren Shehadi (RC), Kevin Millar, Mike Lowell, Greg Amsinger (RC), Ryan Dempster, Sean Casey, Harold Reynolds, Dan Plesac and Smoltz as well as an MLB Tonight card.

A number of that crew’s members already have cards as players (click to view a Buzz archives piece) — but there will be several debuts in the forthcoming releases. Meanwhile, a number of them haven’t had many autographs and all nine found in Series 1 will have ink.

Chicago Cubs’ White House visit gets Topps Now baseball cards

The Chicago Cubs went to the White House on Monday and today’s the day we get the baseball cards to prove it.

Topps ended an offseason card streak of more than a month without new Topps Now cardboard by unveiling eight new cards spotlighting the visit — and some of them are autographed.

First Buzz: 2017 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Chicago North Side autographed baseballs

What: 2017 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Chicago North Side autographed baseballs
Arrives: March 1
Box basics: One autographed baseball of a current or former Chicago Cub per box (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: TRISTAR’s autographed baseball chase goes to the north side of Chicago with some chase baseballs and memorabilia items to be found in some boxes.

Keep reading for more.

When it comes to Chicago Cubs World Series autographed memorabilia, Fanatics has it covered

The Chicago Cubs‘ World Series championship has prompted plenty of memorabilia and, of course, with that success comes high demand and higher costs for companies to get players to sign.

That’s the price of doing business.

But for Fanatics there’s plenty of business — and plenty of autographed memorabilia — for Cubs fans to chase including high-dollar ticket items like this 12-baseball shadowbox as part of an impressive  and deep array of World Series memorabilia that might not have been seen before for a championship squad.

Chicago Cubs’ historic World Series title prompts biggest Topps Now day

A historic World Series win for the Chicago Cubs means a historic day for Topps Now.

How historic? A mere (record) 36 different cards with a record five different signers, a Relic and 10 different base cards — and that’s just in the standard Now set. There’s a completely separate Now-branded team set also available that was previously teased here.

The five signers can be seen above — Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, David Ross and Dexter Fowler. The World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist, gets a Relic.

Cubs’ win in Game 2 of World Series yields 11 Topps Now cards

The Chicago Cubs‘ dominating Game 2 victory in the World Series Wednesday night was sparked by the hot bat of a returning slugger and the strong arm of an ace who held the Cleveland Indians hitless deep into the night as part of a 6-0 win.

Today, the slugger and the ace have new Topps Now cards that will only be available for 24 hours via Topps.com as part of its real-time baseball card program.

The slugger is, of course Kyle Schwarber, who will be signing six types of standard and Relic cards, while the ace is Jake Arrieta, who is among the remaining five cards as part of today’s offering.

Ben Zobrist’s ballpark bike ride gets second run on cardboard for charity

When Chicago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist biked his way to Wrigley Field in full uniform earlier this season, he got plenty of attention and his adventure even ended up on a Topps Now baseball card.

With his team a win away from a World Series berth, he and his now-famous free-wheeling ways are helping raise money for charity via a new baseball card released by Topps.

Buzz Break: 2016 Topps Chrome 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: 2016 Topps Chrome baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard packs plus one Sepia Refractor pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 32
Base set completion: 
20 of 200 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Matt Harvey, Paul Goldschmidt, Prince Fielder

Rookie Cards (3) – Raul Mondesi, Joey Rickard, Frankie Montas

Chicago Cubs auction Jake Arrieta no-hitter gamers to benefit charities

One of the biggest moments of the Chicago Cubs’ season will hopefully make a big impact for the team’s charities.

How?

A number of game-used items from Jake Arrieta‘s no-hitter on April 21 are currently on the auction block via MLB.com to benefit Cubs Charities.

Buzz List: Players to watch in this year’s World Series

With the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets squaring off in Game 1 of the World Series tonight, there’s plenty of collecting potential for both squads

Why? While there are some young stars and veterans who were once much higher on the radar of collectors in the past, there isn’t one unquestioned hobby power player in the group. You know, one guy whose cardboard will be on the minds of everyone with a championship in hand.

Instead, there are a few players with big potential here … so it’s time for a Buzz List.