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

S. Preston’s Minimalist Mascots finally get official MLB licensing nod

If you’re a long-time reader of The Buzz, you should remember sports artist S. Preston, who focuses on the small details and builds artwork around those little things that sports fans see and appreciate.

After a year of waiting for MLB licensing, Preston’s work is back with a new series of Minimalist Mascots prints, which are now available with a focus on the fast and furry-ous stars often found running around the ballpark.

The pieces were part of his portfolio back when we first visited his work in December but could not be sold because they were not licensed. Now, though, they are available to fans.

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.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (March 22)

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What’s Buzzing Today: Comic book art, 2016 Donruss case-breaks, RGIII & more

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.

The Famous San Diego Chicken stars in 2016 Donruss from Panini America

There’s a surprise to be found in some packs of 2016 Donruss that officially arrives Wednesday as cards of Ted Giannoulas — aka The Famous San Diego Chicken — can be found inside.

Card No. 151 in the set is not a veteran, Hall of Famer or rookie — it’s a card of the world-famous and Hall of Famer mascot.

But more important than that card and all of its parallels? There are memorabilia cards and autographed memorabilia cards of the legendary mascot to be found as part of the product’s overall nod back to 1982 — the year of the Chicken’s “Rookie Card.”

Nicknames, honors likely part of variation chase in 2016 Donruss

While The San Diego Chicken’s memorabilia cards might be the biggest draw of them all when 2016 Donruss baseball cards arrive next week, there will still be plenty to chase with a hit-loaded and insert-loaded flagship set (see our First Buzz here) from Panini America.

And among them just might be variations.

Panini unleashed a preview gallery of 150 cards on Friday, and a handful stood out as having quirks similar to last year’s variations.

Panini teases what could be most-unique memorabilia cards ever

Panini America posted this photo online this weekend with a simple statement.

“Why did this chicken cross the road? That’s easy: To become a clucking cool memorabilia card in @paniniamerica’s upcoming 2016 Donruss baseball.”

If you’ve read The Buzz this past week, then it’s not a surprise — but here are more details.

First Buzz: 2016 Donruss baseball cards

What: 2016 Donruss baseball cards
Arrives: March 2016
Box basics: Three autographs or memorabilia cards per box

What’s buzz-worthy: A new wave of retro-styled but modern Donruss baseball cards arrives during spring training next year as Panini America revealed the basics on this new one, which will include autographed buybacks, plenty of inserts, plenty of base cards and more hits than the typical lower-end brand. Among the surprises? A memorabilia card for the famed The Famous (San Diego) Chicken mascot.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.