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.)

Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball 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: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 12
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 60
Base set completion: 
42 of 100 (42 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mookie Betts, Ryne Sandberg, Justin Verlander, Ken Griffey Jr., Pete Rose, Carlos Correa, Clayton Kershaw, Gary Sanchez, Jose Altuve, Mike Schmidt, Buster Posey, Mickey Mantle, Kris Bryant, Nolan Ryan

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2012 Leaf Pete Rose The Living Legend baseball box (Hour 11)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 11.

The box: 2012 Leaf Pete Rose The Living Legend baseball cards
The cost: Click here

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss 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 Donruss baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby when available)

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 56
Base set completion: 
41 of 195 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Short-prints (Nos. 1-45; Diamond Kings & Rated Rookies) (2) – Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt

Notables on base cards – Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander, Francisco Lindor, Buster Posey, Anthony Rizzo, Manny Machado, Pete Rose, Duke Snider, Gary Sanchez, Kris Bryant, Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Bryce Harper, Madison Bumgarner

>>> For a variation gallery, click here
>>> For a checklist & general gallery, click here

Rookie Cards – None

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 1981 Donruss baseball pack (Hour 11)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour all day long … and this is Hour 11.

The pack: 1981 Donruss baseball cards
The cost now: $2
The cost then: 30 cents

What’s inside this pack? Keep reading …

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2013 Panini Golden Age wax box (Hour 3)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 3.

The box: 2013 Panini Golden Age
The cost now: Click here
The cost then: $72

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

Newest Lelands auction includes some serious baseball history

A number of high-end and truly historic baseball items are leading the way in the latest Lelands Masters Auction.

What you see above? A 1962 Topps first series cello box.

It includes 36 packs that originally cost buyers $3.60 if they cleared out the box. It’s been inspected, authenticated and documented by Baseball Card Exchange and includes a number of packs with stars showing, including four showing Stan Musial and then appearances by Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Brooks Robinson and a number of leaders cards.

Bidding currently sits at $48,717 after just eight bids — and it’s not even close to the biggest item in the sale.

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2008 Donruss Threads Baseball hobby box (Hour 2)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 2.

The box: 2008 Donruss Threads Baseball
The cost: $79

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

First Buzz: 2017 Leaf Q sports cards

What: 2017 Leaf Q sports cards
Arrives: Late October/early November
Box basics: Five autograph or memorabilia cards per box (four boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf Q returns with what it says “may be the single greatest effort in the history of multi-sport trading card releases” in the form of “the industry’s most-comprehensive high-end multi-sport product.”

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

MLB hit king Pete Rose is newest Panini VIP Party guest

The Panini VIP Party has added a Diamond King to the roster.

Panini America revealed the seventh guest for its upcoming exclusive event set for Saturday night and it’s MLB hit King Pete Rose, who was revealed by the company just minutes ago.

The event coincides with the National Sports Collectors Convention, which is under way in Chicago and runs through Sunday.

Bill Madden collection auction closes Tuesday with legendary items

If you’re a younger collector, you may not know the name, but the memorabilia of a long-time (and Hall of Fame honored) sports writer is headed to the auction block.

He’s Bill Madden — fun fact for collectors is that he literally helped Donruss build its roster of Rated Rookies in 1984 Donruss — and a number of his treasures will be sold next week.

Among the more than 400 lots will be photos, programs, signed items, signed books, press pins and more from some of the biggest names in MLB history.

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2017 Donruss baseball blaster box (Hour 8)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 8.

The box: 2017 Donruss baseball blaster
The cost: $19.99 (get hobby here)

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2013 Panini Golden Age wax box (Hour 4)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 4.

The box: 2013 Panini Golden Age
The cost now: $29.99
The cost then: $72

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss 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 Donruss baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 56
Base set completion: 
41 of 195 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Short-prints (Nos. 1-45; Diamond Kings & Rated Rookies) (3) – Mike Trout (DK), Josh Bell, Jose DeLeon

Notables on base cards – Pete Rose, Mike Trout, Wade Boggs, Clayton Kershaw,  Jose Bautista, Noah Syndergaard, Yoenis Cespedes, Jackie Bradley Jr.

>>> For a variation gallery, click here
>>> For a checklist & general gallery, click here

Rookie Cards (2) – Josh Bell, Jose DeLeon

Alex Rodriguez to sign at National Sports Collectors Convention

There’s a new big name among the first wave of autograph signers for this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.

It’s Alex Rodriguez.

Once baseball’s highest-paid player, he’s a member of the 3,000-hit club and a player who hit 696 home runs during his at times controversial 22-year MLB career with the Mariners, Rangers and Yankees.

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 2017 Topps Heritage MLB hobby box (Hour 1)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 1.

The box: 2017 Topps Heritage hobby box
The cost: Click here to see

What’s inside this box? Keep reading …

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss baseball 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: 2017 Donruss baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
128 of 195 (66 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Short-prints (Nos. 1-45; Diamond Kings & Rated Rookies) (9) –  Paul Goldschmidt, Jackie Bradley Jr., Christian Yelich, Noah Syndergaard, Maikel Franco, Madison Bumgarner, Dansby Swanson, Tyler Glasnow, Aaron Judge

Notables on base cards – Manny Machado, Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Francisco Lindor, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Correa, Albert Pujols, Corey Seager, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Bryce Harper, Cal Ripken Jr., Johnny Bench, Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose

>>> For a variation gallery, click here
>>> For a checklist & general gallery, click here

Rookie Cards (3) – Dansby Swanson, Tyler Glasnow, Aaron Judge

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 1984 Topps baseball cello pack (Hour 7)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … and this is Hour 7.

The pack: 1984 Topps baseball cello pack
The cost now: $4
The cost then: 49 cents

What’s inside this pack? Keep reading …

Reds Hall of Fame Pete Rose Hit Collection focuses on autographs

When is a Pete Rose autographed baseball a 1/1 creation but also one of 4,256?

When is a Rose autographed baseball an item that costs $170 … or more?

When it’s a part of a new exhibit in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum — and potentially part of your own stash — as part of the Hall of Fame Pete Rose Hit Collection.

Need a 2016 Panini Prime Cuts baseball checklist? It’s here + gallery

Prime Cuts is almost here — but the wait for its checklist is now over.

How many Babe Ruth memorabilia cards will there be? How many rookies made the cut? Who’s signing and whose memorabilia can be found for the first time?

Oh and who made it onto the eight-player autograph booklets?

Keep reading to find out what’s in store for 2016 Panini Prime Cuts baseball cards …

First Buzz: 2016 Historic Autographs Originals baseball — The 1970s

What: 2016 Historic Autographs Originals baseball — The 1970s
Arrives: Oct. 26
Box basics: Four PSA/DNA authenticated autograph card displays per box (10 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs revisits the 1970s with a new product that will be limited to just 400 total boxes with some surprises from that decade.

See a gallery and more … below.

Gallery: 2016 Leaf Sports Heroes trading cards + checklist

Leaf Trading Cards‘ latest sports card release arrived in hobby shops on Friday and it includes one of the widest arrays of possible finds — everything from competitive eaters to Super Bowl kings and even stars from sports movies.

Each box of 2016 Leaf Sports Heroes includes three certified autographs with some of the possible surprises inside also being a 27-autograph card of the 1972 Miami Dolphins and a parallel rainbow that includes five types and printing plates for all cards.

Pondering what’s possible in a 1973 Topps baseball group break — and you can win one of five free spots

What you see here is a 1973 Topps wax box — 24 packs of 10 cards — with cards inside just as they were wrapped in wax paper more than 40 years ago.

They’ll all see the light of day soon as part of an upcoming BlowoutTV group break, which will give collectors a shot at high-grade copies of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt‘s Rookie Card along with RCs of Rich “Goose” Gossage, Dwight Evans, Davey Lopes and Bob Boone. (Oh, and keep reading to see how you can get in on a free spot in the break …)

And then, of course, there are cards of Hall of Famers and notables such as Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Brooks Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Willie Mays, Pete Rose, Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew, Joe Morgan and many more. Perfect specimens aren’t a given with the printing, cutting and packaging of the past, but a box like this one can yield plenty of high-dollar cards in PSA 9 and 10 form. (And some strong cards in lesser grades.)

But the real power in this one beyond the Hall of Famers? The potential for PSA 10 commons — cards that are often overlooked raw but can command insane amounts when PSA Registry collectors chase a set in high grade. How about $739.76 for a PSA 10 Bobby Murcer?

There’s some Power of the Pinstripes in play there, but that card is not alone.

First Buzz: 2016 Donruss Optic baseball cards

What: 2016 Donruss Optic baseball cards
Arrives: July 20
Box basics:  Two autographs per 20-pack box (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Panini’s promise of bringing Optichrome into its baseball lineup begins here with a Prizmatic take on the Donruss baseball brand that will include 10 parallels to the basic Donruss set you’ve seen before with some added touches.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

Buzz Break: 2016 Donruss baseball 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: 2016 Donruss baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
139 of 195 (71 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Kyle Schwarber, Stephen Piscotty, Michael Conforto (Rated Rookies), Albert Pujols, Jose Fernandez (Diamond Kings), George Brett, Frank Thomas, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Cabrera, Don Mattingly, Mariano Rivera, Nolan Ryan, Carl Yastrzemski, Carlos Correa, Clayton Kershaw, Kris Bryant, Yu Darvish, Pete Rose, Joc Pederson, Bo Jackson, Buster Posey, Pete Rose, The San Diego Chicken

Buzz Break: 2016 Donruss 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 Donruss baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
29 of 195 (15 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Henry Owens (Rated Rookie), Andrew McCutchen (Diamond Kings), Ichiro Suzuki, Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson, Pete Rose, Josh Donaldson, Nolan Arenado, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Steven Matz, Bo Jackson

Gallery: 2016 Donruss baseball cards

Panini America’s flagship baseball card release for the year is here in the form of 2016 Donruss, which is a brand that packs three hits per hobby box and even some chicken.

The brand is one that relies on the staples of collecting — top players from the past and present, autographs, memorabilia, strong photos, vibrant designs and more — while also harkening back to 1982 and other past Donruss releases.

And more is what you just might find inside a box.

First Buzz: 2016 Leaf Q sports cards

What: 2016 Leaf Q sports cards
Arrives: April
Box basics: Five autographs per box (four boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf Q will present some of the biggest names in the sports world and some of the biggest names from other areas in a multi-sport release that’s packed with nothing but the hits.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Buzz Poll: Would you put Pete Rose in Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame?

“Inducting Pete into the Reds Hall of Fame will be a defining moment in the 147-year history of this storied franchise. … He is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Reds uniform and it will be an unforgettable experience watching him being honored as such.”

—  Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini

That was from the announcement on Tuesday as the team has decided to induct Pete Rose into its Hall of Fame and retire his No. 14 during the weekend of June 24-26.

First Buzz: 2015 Leaf SportKings trading cards

What: 2015 Leaf SportKings trading cards
Arrives: January 2016
Box basics: One autograph, one memorabilia card, four base cards and one mini per box.

What’s buzz-worthy: SportKings returns with a new mix of cards that includes numbered autographed parallels and buyback autographs for stars throughout the sports world (and even a few from elsewhere) on the famed design from the 1930s.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Buzz Poll: Does Pete Rose get your Baseball Hall of Fame vote?

Pete Rose‘s quest for reinstatement by MLB was denied Monday after an investigation by commissioner Rob Manfred.

Rather than argue one way or another, Buzz simply wants to know if Rose would get your Hall of Fame vote if you had one.

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

>> Click here to buy baseball cards on BlowoutCards.com

Checklist for 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed is a heavyweight

Topps released the final checklist for the first high-end WWE card set ever on Monday morning and 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed is a heavyweight with a lineup of Fistographs, cut autographs, auto booklets and a mix of past and present WWE greats.

Among the signers? Brock Lesnar, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Bray Wyatt, The Iron Sheik, Edge, John Cena, Lita, Trish Stratus, “The Million-Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Paul Heyman, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks.

Oh, and also signing for the autograph-in-every-pack line? Pete Rose and Lawrence Taylor, who have appeared at past WrestleManias.