When I tell people I work for Upper Deck the first thing they ask me about is baseball cards and usually the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Upper Deck and baseball go together like mustard on hot dogs. So it has been disappointing for so many here at our corporate headquarters that licensing changes have greatly hindered Upper Deck’s ability to put out new baseball products. We have had some successes however like 2011 SP Legendary Cuts Baseball which was a product that consisted almost entirely of imageless cards, but we were able to come up with compelling designs to make it work.
We have a very passionate group of creators just busting at the seams to produce new baseball releases and when we first shared the idea of 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball with a small group of distributors and shops, we received a favorable response. With autographs from 50 Hall-of-Fame players (including some who are now deceased) and a bevy of current stars and prospects, we believed we could build a checklist with a lot of fire-power for collectors. And with ZERO redemptions in the product, we knew we were coming up with something collectors would appreciate. Unfortunately we were not able to promote the product before release, but take a listen to Upper Deck’s product manager Grant Sandground as he shares what it took to bring this set to market and why 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball provides an exciting pack opening experience.
The folks at Beckett recently had their opportunity to get a chance to check out 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball as well. Take a listen to what they thought and what they pulled:
And there have been some pretty significant cards pulled from the product giving collectors a reason to smile.
A collector smiles after pulling a Koufax autograph card!
We frequently hear at shows that fans miss seeing new Upper Deck baseball products and we have seen many going back to older releases just to get the value and content they miss. Additionally, we have also seen independently created groups like this one on Facebook who are rallying to see Upper Deck back in baseball. We appreciate that a strong fan base for Upper Deck’s baseball products still exist and to thank fans for their support and to give them a chance to experience the first stand-alone baseball release in over a year.
We want to give you a chance to open a pack of 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball and try it out for yourself for FREE! All you need to do to participate is to review the short print checklist from the set and share in the comment section below which baseball player is your favorite in the set and why you would love to pull an autograph card of them in three sentences or less. We will give out twelve (12) packs to fans who most skillfully submit a compelling comment by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13. We are using most of our sample packs with collectors here for this product as we truly want the fans to experience 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball for themselves!
For those who score a free pack, let us know how you do on the Upper Deck Facebook page or on Twitter!
361 Comments
Derek Jeter.
Mainly because I would love to be able to give it to my sister. She bought a Derek Jeter autographed eight by ten and it turned out to be a fake. I know that it is fake and she does not so I would love to have a Jeter autograph to give her and throw out that junk autograph.
Back in 2004 as a member of the Jr. Jays Fan Club, I had the great opportunity to have lunch with Roy Halladay when he was with the Toronto Blue Jays. Mr. Halladay was one of the nicest and most personable professional athletes I have ever met and really took the time to get to know me as well as sharing his story with my dad and I. Unfortunately, I was so caught up in the moment that I had forgotten to get his autograph so I would love to pull one from a pack of 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball!
I think it would be great to get an autograph Carl Yastrzemski card. I feel he is one of the best players from my favorite team.
I would love to pull any NY Met, but especially Gary Carter. One of my all-time favorite players on my favorite team. He was a great person taken before his time.
I’m a hugs Reds fan,and my collection of cards goes back to the 1950’s, so any of Cincinnati Reds Autos would be great, and if the Latos is in a Reds uniform, I’d love to hit that one to add to my collection.
Gosh there are so many on the list, and while he wasn’t the greatest player on the list (or even my favorite probably as it’s hard to beat pudge or Ryno for me) I love Bo Jackson for the amaizing athelete he was. I really believe that had he been able to stay healthy that man could have done anything. He was a competitor and could put his mid to anything. I’ll never foget in his first game back for the Sox the monster HR he hit. He could run the bases in sub 13 seconds, he was unreal, oh and baseball was his “2nd sport” which made it that much more amaizing. I’d love to get my hands on a Bo knows graph!
I STARTED OUT COLLECTING THE OLDER GUYS (WILL CLARK, BO JACKSON, JOSE CANSECO, NOLAN RYAN AND WADE BOGGS). THOSE WERE THE GOOD OL CARDS. I’D LOVE TO PULL SOMETHING FROM ONE OF THEM BUT WOULD ALSO LOVE TO HIT A HARPER, STRASBURG OR PUJOLS AS WELL! GET IDEAD, GREAT GIVEAWAY! THANK YOU!!
Wade Boggs! I once traded a Ken Griffey Jr. 89 UD Rookie straight across so I could get my hands on a Wade Boggs rookie. Call it a bit regretful, my Dad sure chewed my ear off, but I still love Boggs and would love to pull his Autograph! In the end, being from Seattle, I ended up a die hard Griffey fan. Funny how things work out. Thanks for the chance!
Sandy Koufax, the undisputed greatest Jewish athlete of any sport in any era. About a decade ago now, as a Jewish adolescent, I received my Bar Mitzvah. While money certainly made for a great gift, no single item that I received that day left more of an impact on me than an autographed Koufax baseball that a close family friend gave to me. Less than a year later, I used some of my money to double my collection- I purchased an autographed Sandy Koufax 8 x 10. I put the two in a shadow box that I have proudly hung on my wall to this day. As an aspiring Jewish athlete at the time, I clung to the few Jewish athletes that have left an impact within their respective sports- namely Mark Spitz with his record-breaking Olympic performance, Shawn Green with his four home run game, and Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg. But none left more of an impact on me than Sandy Koufax- the man whose strength and dedication led his team to the greatest stage in baseball, only to push it all aside in order hold on to his Jewish beliefs by sitting out a World Series matchup that fell on Yom Kippur- the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Today, I proudly wear his jersey as a reminder that anything is possible. While I may have long left behind my aspirations to become the next Ryan Braun, Hammerin’ Hank, or even Jason Marquis as a handful of the few Jewish baseball players that have had an impact on the baseball world, I choose to carry on Sandy’s legacy for my future generations that not just Jews but rather people of any race, religion, or creed can accomplish their dreams without compromising their beliefs. That is why I am a huge Sandy Koufax fan, and that is why I proudly carry his legacy within me.
I would love to pull a Carlton Fisk card. Be able to watch him play at Comiskey Park he became my all time favorite player.
Growing up in Iowa, the Minnesota Twins were my favorite team. Pulling a Rod Carew autograph would be a thrill, they didn’t have autographs in packs when I was a kid.
My favorite player is Sandy Koufax. My son always gives me a box of Upper Deck baseball cards for my birthday and one of my best hits was a Koufax autograph card found in a box of Artifacts! I’d love to pull another.
My favorite would have to be Bo Jackson. Before there was Michael Jordan hysteria there was Bo Jackson. He was a do it all athlete in baseball ,as well as, football. Had he not gotten hurt he could quite possibly have been the greatest running back of all time. Even now people remember the “Bo knows” campaign. I had the privilege of seeing him play in college and still consider him as not only one of the greatest players of all time, but also a wonderful human being!
I don’t have a snowballs chance in Corpus Christie, that said…
I still don’t own an Albert Pujols auto. bought a fake once(they were good)but given his contributions over the last 10 years, that’s the one I’d like to add to the PC
As a long suffering Padres fan, I would love to pull a Yasmani Grandal autograph card. With a constantly changing roster, I’m hoping his fast start is the beginning of great things for him and the franchise. The Padres are in dire need of a superstar, and with a farm system loaded with talent, I’m hoping he’s the cornerstone of a team that can emulate the 90’s Indians for years to come.
Branding Phillips
I’m a life long Reds fan. Growing up watching reds greats like Barry Larkin. It’s great to have a player like Phillips to bring us back to the bigtime.
I would love to pull a Glen Perkins card. He hasn’t had any autographs in Upper Deck products in a while. I was surprised to see he had made it in, but I was more than glad, as I am a huge collector. Upper Deck has produced some of his better cards in the past few years and I always love adding them to my collection!
I would love to pull a Clayton Kershaw from the set. I remember being at his last Double-A game in Zebulon, a few other collectors were waiting for an auto but he never came out dressed. I saw someone walking with bags, and made the connection, he was more than happy to sign a ball for me as he was on his way to the show.
When I was young my Grandparents were huge Braves fans and took me to see them in the 70’s. My Grandmother loved the Braves for years after and I would always watch on tv with her or would call her and talk about the game. she loved it but always called the pitching staff wrong names-Maddux,Glavine,Smotltz was Madrux,Gavine and Shultz. I would love to pull any Braves auto from a pack of these cards. It would be great for my collection andf memories.
Would love to pull a Bo Jackson auto. Truly one of the greatest athletes of our time. If he had remained healthy he could have potentially been a first ballot hof’er in 2 sports!
Wade Miley. My son and I got to meet him and his parents at a Mobile Baybears game last year.
Oh, even though its not a rare pull, it’s gotta be Ryne Sandberg. The best second baseman, and overall terrific person. As a kid, I cheered for Sandberg whenever he was on the MLB Game of the Week (TV viewing of the Cubs was limited in Canada). The guy always carried himself with class, honour and integrity and was my favourite ballplayer. A Sandberg auto would be the gem of my collection.
I would love to pull an autograph from Whitey Ford (NYY-1) from the 2012 SP Signature Edition. It was an honor to meet him when I was a 10 year old boy at a baseball card show, where he took the time to have a conversation with me while signing my baseball. Pulling an autograph card of Whitey Ford would be an awesome way to help remember that special day.
I would love to pull any of the players that were former Montreal Expos. With such a proud heritage and a great list of players, any player that played for the Expos would be a welcome addition to my collection.
I would like to pull the Frank Thomas. I got to meet Thomas at a card show back in 1991 and collected him ever since. My favorite Frank Thomas card of all time is his 1991 Upper Deck. at one time I had every Thomas card from 1990-1998. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to pull a Ferguson Jenkins card.
My dad grew up in Chicago and Fergie is his all time favrotie player. I grew up listening to stories about his greatness
As a Cardinals fan, I would love to pull an Albert Pujols card. I hold no ill-will for him as he led St. Louis to 2 World Championships and gave us 10 incredible years. Plus, he’s going into the Hall of Fame.
I would love to pull a Bo Jackson autograph,as watching him grow up as a kid,I always wanted to be like him and be able to not 1 but 2 sports,he is a true legend in my eyes.
My favorite all time player would have to be: Group A: TEX-1 Nolan Ryan,
as my dad and I would travel over 200 miles to see him play when he was with Houston in the early 80’s, Ryan gave me the baseball bug!!!
Andre “the hawk” Dawson is who I would love to have an autograph from. He was my childhood hero growing up. One of six players to record 300 hr’s and 300 sb’s!
Carlton Fisk would be the one id love to pull. Him waving the walkoff homer in the 75 World Series is a huge event in Boston sports history.
I would love to pull this card
PIT-2 Bill Madlock
PIT-11 Jameson Taillon
PIT-14 Pedro Alvarez/Gerrit Cole/Jameson Taillon
I am a Pirates fan and this would be a great card for any Pirates collection.
However, My two all time favorite players are Chipper Jones and Jr. I have never pulled a Chipper Jones auto and would love to pull one of his as well. He was the first play i really liked in the MLB and to me he was the face of MLB for years with his positive attitude and his overall positive persona he had around the sport.
Without a doubt, my favorite player on the list and of all time is “The Big Hurt”! Frank Thomas is the reason I fell in love with baseball and am now a life-long fan of the White Sox! I would love to pull his autographed card because I gave my 10 year old son my Frank Thomas rc card to get him into collecting a few years ago and would love to pass this to him as well, and my birthday is on July 14th!
I would love to get my hands on the WAS-11 Bryce Harper/Stephen Strasburg card. I think those two names would speak for themselves
Bo Jackson represents the ultimate sportsman, an athlete who could perform at the highest level in multiple sports, without skipping a beat; besides baseball and football, Bo was an exceptional track and field star before he committed to his other sports full time. But his greatest accomplishment was not achieved on the field, but rather in the locker room during interviews: a lifetime stutterer, Bo vanquished his lifelong disorder by referring to himself as “Bo” instead of “I,” because he had an easier time saying it, and for that reason I would love to pul a Bo Jackson short print.
I would love to pull the Edgar Martinez auto because he is my sister’s favorite player and I would love to give the autograph to her.
I would love to pull a Chipper Jones Auto. He is my baseball idol and he is what Braves baseball is all about. Plus I would get to share and pass the card on to my daughter.
Bryce Harper because he is a new young phenom in the major leagues and plays for a future world series contender. The kid has a bright future and is potentially a future HOFer.
Bring a Texas Rangers fan, I would love to pull a Nolan Ryan or Josh Hamilton autograph … but being an overall baseball fan, I would love to pull a Sandy Koufax auto!
So awesome to see Johnny Pesky with an auto in this set. He doesn’t get very much hobby attention in the hobby world but to Red Sox fans he is like a favorite grandfather. Pulling an auto of him would be a thrill, and I’m glad to see that cards of players like him are still being produced.
As a lifelong Cubs fan, I’d love a chance at a Billy Williams, Ernie Banks or Ron Santo auto. Cubs fans suffer every day, but in the end we will prevail! I’m raising my kids as Cubs fans knowing someday they’ll get to the promised land! Believe! There is always next year!!
The Ryan Express, Nolan Ryan, would be my dream pull. Ryan embodied the spirit, athleticism and class of a true professional over the course of an amazing 27-year MLB career. A true gentleman (except for a short and lively incident with Robin Ventura) on and off the field and a person you would want your kids to call role model!
Being a die-hard fan of Los Angeles sports, any of the Dodger legends would be great. Koufax, Newcombe, Erskine, Snider, Baker, Cey, Garvey… Any, and all, of those names belong in a true Dodger fan’s collection. Although I have to admit the ultimate one to own would be a Jackie Robinson, but we all know how difficult that is to obtain.
Being in college the hobby of collecting quality cards has been extremely slow and almost non-existent. But as growing up a cardinals fan in south Texas my dad passed along his love for the team to me so the chance to pull anyone of the current, former, and legendary cardinals is a true excitement. Busting a huge pack would bring back the exhilaration of my younger years with my dad at card shows and hoping to pull that one card that reminds you that its all worth every penny and all the yards i mowed to pay for the boxes upon boxes of cards.
I would love the chance to pull a Tom Glavine autograph in the 2012 SP Signature Edition. I look up to him as an athlete as he was both a great baseball player, and also was a skilled hockey player (he was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings). Hockey and baseball are my favorite sports, so Tom Glavine is one of my favorite athletes.
Chipper Jones!!
Chipper has been my idol since I was a kid, I collect his cards religiously, and would die to pull his auto in this product. Hope I have the chance!!
Rocky Colavito was a favorite player of my grandparents who helped get me hooked on the great game of baseball and he has very few cards or autographs in recent sets that would mean a lot to me to have.
Derek Jeter would be a great pull for me. Ever since my mom and dad cane to north America , Derek Jeter had become their favorite player. If I pulled his auto I would give the card to my parents.
I would love to pull a Chipper Jones card. He is the reason I grew up loving the game of baseball. As much as I love my father he wasn’t huge into sports, so I wasn’t influenced by him to gain a love of America’s pastime. The memory that influenced me the most was watching ESPN as a little boy and seeing them interview Chipper after the 1999 World Series and his MVP season. Even though the Bravos lost to the Yankees, Chipper was still humble and I connected with his down home country attitude toward the game like I had not experienced with anything else in my life. It was through him that I could see that, to those that loved baseball, it was more than a game, it was life.
A multiple signed Mets card would be huge…perhaps one with Seaver and Ryan and Doc and Straw commemorating 69 and 86….
« Older Comments Newer Comments »