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

Packs per box: 4
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 20
Base set completion: 
14 of 100 (14 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson, Felix Hernandez, Joey Gallo, Matt Kemp, Todd Frazier, Ken Griffey Jr., Salvador Perez, Jake Lamb, Mark Reynolds, Ryne Sandberg, Charlie Blackmon

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

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 30
Base set completion: 
13 of 100 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Frank Thomas, Giancarlo Stanton, Yadier Molina

Rookie Cards (3) – Yoan Moncada, Braden Shipley, Alex Reyes

National Baseball Card Day is set for Saturday with free cards & more

National Baseball Card Day is this Saturday.

The hobby shop event will have participating stores in the United States and Canada giving away free six-card packs to visitors. It’s a promotion that hasn’t been done since 2008.

A bonus card of Kris Bryant will only be available with purchases. It can be seen above.

What surprises may be found in 2016 Topps baseball card packs?

An early version of the 2016 Topps Series 1 baseball checklist arrived on Tuesday and that first glimpse offered a few surprises before its arrival on Feb. 3.

But there are also undoubtedly more still to come.

The First Pitch cards showing celebrities making ceremonial appearances? They’re not on the checklist but are confirmed as still coming. There’s no note of variations or short-printed cards for the release — we all know those are coming. They always do.

What else? Keep reading for a rundown of what’s known and notable from the checklist

You can get a Big Papi VISA — but it doesn’t come with a Big Papi limit

Twelve Major League Baseball players have granted their likenesses to be used as part of a prepaid debit card program that lets diehard fans have yet another card of their favorite and lets them show it off every time they make a purchase.

So, in other words, your Big Papi VISA doesn’t come with big-league cash — unless you put it there.

David Ortiz is among the players partnered with the True Stars Fan Club, an MLBPA-approved venture that promises baseball-related rewards and benefits to those who sign up for the program.

Topps’ final World Series releases recap moments & Royals’ title

Fans of the Kansas City Royals and their successful run to the World Series have two more options from Topps as the company has released an oversized set for the team and re-issued all of its Postseason Moments wall art in one smaller set.

Buzz Poll: Which Kansas City Royal gets your baseball card cash?

Will Eric Hosmer’s hustle lead to hobby gold? + 5 more Royals to know

The Kansas City Royals are your World Series champions with a cast of younger veteran players who have all-around skills but perhaps not one overall superstar who is a hobby darling.

But thanks to Eric Hosmer‘s hustle on a ground ball in the ninth to tie it and a five-run rally in the 12th, the Royals wear the crown this year in MLB.

Hosmer has arguably the most potential in the hobby with a good amount of 2008 USA Baseball and other prospect cards predating his MLB card arrivals in 2011. Overall, he has more than 1,500 unique cards and more than 300 certified autographs for collectors to chase. They’re not overly plentiful like some stars from that timeframe, but they are out there. If you can’t land some of his USA ink, look for the affordable autos in 2008 Razor Signature Series. He’s there because he was a Razor exclusive before his Topps autos arrived in 2011.

Keep reading for five more Royals to know.

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.