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
Vladimir Guerrero has been my favorite player for the entire 16 years of my life. He is a pure hitter, who can hit for average as well as power, and in his younger years seemed to do everything well. Most importantly he seems like a great guy, who has come from humble beginnings, and isn’t flashy or arrogant.
I think it is phenomenal the advances in card printing technology from Griffey’s rookie year. Suffice it to say that if I were lucky enough to pull an auto, I would love a Yaztremski auto. One of the most beloved outfielders ever to don the Red Sox uniform.
I would enjoy the Mike Schmidt auto the most as I have been become very nostalgic in my advanced age. My favorite Phillies player when I was young(er) and have been unable to obtain a reasonably priced one…so far.
Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra, would have to be my choice. Not only one of the greatest catchers of all time, but a beloved yankee!(and HOFER!)….every time I hear his name it brings back fond childhood memories of watching “the Yogi Bear show” as a kid….””Hey there, Boo Boo!”” LOL
Along with the void of a Yogi Signature in my personal collection, he’s getting up there in age and I need to track down an autograph before it’s to late.
Thanks for the contest UD!
I’m cheering for you to get a MLB/MLBPA license back SOOOOON!
cheers, Geoff
My favorite player is Tony Gwynn. I admire a player who plays their entire career with one team. Especially when that team was not very good. He never hit below .309 in any full season. Very impressive.
I would love the Dan Hudson/Wade Miley/Micah Owings because of my love for the Dbacks. They are my favorite team, and the ONLY player who I don’t have an autograph of on the whole team and coaching staff is Miley. I know that this card doesn’t have a lot of monetary value, but it’s sentimental value would outway everything else.
I would to have a Bob Gibson cars autographes. Is m’y favorite player.
My favorite player in the set, that I would want to pull is Lenny Dykstra. I always loved the way Nails played, and I modeled my game after him when I played growing up and now as I age into slow pitch old man softball. He may have turned into a terrible human being, but he was always one of my favorites to watch on the field.
I would love to pull the Carl Yastremski auto. Yaz was one of the first players I found who shared my birthdate and he instantly became my fav player when I was a kid. Still remember wearing my Red Sox cap with a #8 drawn on it.
I was mesmerized watching Ken Griffey Junior since the 1st time I saw him play. Grew up a Giants fan and still am. But Griffey is the card I’d love to pull because he made me fall in love with the game itself!
I am a Derek Jeter fan and don’t have any card autographs of him just one baseball He is sure to be in the Hall of Fame once he retires. Also the duo of Bryce Harper and Stephen Stratsburg. These guys are going to be super stars as they gain experience in the Major Leagues.
When I was a kid, Darryl Strawberry was my favorite player. When he left the Mets, I was so crushed that I threw all my Strawberry posters, cards, shirt and autograph in the trash. Now, I wish I had it all back. Opening a pack would go a long way to healing an old wound. 🙂
Who wouldn’t want to own a piece of Nationals future. Whether Strasburg or Harper and especially the card with both they are winners. Harper the youngest player in the All-Star game is having a great season like Strasburg is.
I want the Sandberg but I would be pleased to pull any and all the Cubs available. Including Junior Lake who I saw play here in Peoria when he played for the Chiefs- a Cubs minor league affiliate.
I have been a fan of Strasburg for a long time. He is one of the many reasons why I love baseball. To have his autograph would make me the happiest person on earth considering that it isn’t a good time for me right now because of a very tragic death in the family.
My favorite player in the set would be Bob Gibson. He was an incredible pitching legend and World Series champion!
I would love to pull a card from the “Kid”, Gary Carter. Being a Huge Mets fan growing up he was a fan favorite. With his unfortunate death earlier this year, this will definitely be a signature to hold onto.
I would be siked if I snagged a Carlton Fisk card. That “wave it fair” moment was one of the most significant moments from my childhood, watching it live I remember thinking I would never miss a Red Sox game again. That moment should go down as one of the top 10 moments in Red Sox history.
Autographs from any Cardinal players are awesome, but a Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, or Joe Torre would make my day! Also a huge Frank Thomas fan, that auto would be great! I just love autos. of any baseball!
Ron Santo
I have been a huge baseball fan since I was a girl and I became obsessed with the Chicago Cubs. Ron Santo is my favorite because he was not only a great player, but a fighter off of the field. He also is my dad’s favorite player and my dad never got to get his autograph before Ron Santo died (My father’s birthday is coming up soon and I would love to surprise him)
i`m a big pirate fan anything from 60`s world series up yankees old-timers new pirates including cole/alvarez/etc nolan ryan/nats strasburg/b.harper!!thx for the chance!!appretiate it!!
I would have to say any of the Cleveland Indians players. My 12 year old son is trying to start a sports card collection of his own and he loves the Indians.
Micah Owings. Don’t laugh. I collect pitchers who can rake with the bat as well.
I would love to pull a Mark Grace auto because i love My girlfriend and her middle name is grace. I don’t have any autos of him for my collection either and I would love to add a new auto of such an amazing great to my collection.
I would love to have the (WAS-11 Bryce Harper/Stephen Strasburg) card. These are 2 of the most exciting young superstars in the game today. I can see them winning MVP and Cy Young Award in the same season, wouldn’t that be AWESOME!!!
I would love a signed Edgar Martinez. This guy knew how to do it. Fielding was for the birds, just let me hit the dang ball!!! My favorite player.
From Pedro
A Mariners fan who lives in Arkansas
I would absolutely love to add a Josh Hamilton autographed card to my lifelong collection of sports cards. I’ve read Josh’s book 10+ times and it has absolutely changed my life. His story is the most inspiring thing I’ve ever heard: how all he had left was his Gramndmother and God yet he was able to fight back against all odds and prove all his doubters wrong by becoming the best player in the world.
I would love to pull a Schmidt. Growing up, the first two athletes I even remember being aware of were Dr. J and Mike Schmidt. Schmidt was and is still in my mind, the face of the franchise from its first and only golden era. He reminds me of childhood and of my parents’ stories of sharing season tickets to the Phillies during the late 70’s just before I was born.
I would pick Jim Thome. He has always been one of my favorite players ever since he played with the Indians. Thank you for your consideration.
For me, I’d love to pull a Lou Brock because it would remind me of my childhood in St. Louis. I was born in Mo. and since moving to Canada I don’t get to see many baseball games, especially in being able to see the Cards play on TV unless they’re in the world series!
Frank Thomas Haiku.
The Big Hurt is a large man.
Long Swing, Autograph!
Personally, I would love to pull a Will Clark auto. I grew up in the bay area and as a kid my favorite player was Will the thrill. I loved his hustle and the way he played the game, so he would definitely be an awesome pull for me.
As a San Diegan born and raised, I would love to have a Tony Gwynn auto. As a kid, I had a couple that he had given me personally, but unfortunately they did not survive the test of time and several moves. My daughter, on the other hand, would love a Bryce Harper because he is so dreamy.
wow i would love to pull the first world series back to back champions north of the border of any of these few cards
TOR-2 Joe Carter
TOR-10 Asher Wojciechowski
TOR-13 David Cooper/Brett Lawrie
TOR-15 David Cooper/Brett Lawrie/Andrew Liebel/Asher Wojciechowski
great players from past and present
keep baseball in canada bring more teams here……..
I would Love to add the Chipper Autograph being that is his last year before retirement. Being that he grew up here in Jacksonville, FL, I have followed him from HS Phenom to a Future Hall of Fame Major League Star. I will truly miss watching him play!! Go Chipper and Go Braves!!
I would like to pull Bo Jackson. Be a royals fan he was a hero of mine growing up.
Fergie Jenkins is my pick. Being the first generation born in this country, it was very hard for me to get into most sports growing up since it was study study study. Since my Father was at work most of the day it was just my Mom and the siblings and it is amazing that my Mom really enjoyed watching the Cubs on the old Channel 9, WGN back in the 70s. Our Mom would pick us up from school at 2:30 and get home fast enough to only miss only a couple of innings. Watching the Hall of Fame pitcher was like magic. As the game would come to a close we would all watch on the little TV all while Mom would be making dinner. It’s the memories that the Cubs make that stays with you.
Chipper Jones, because he was one of the best players of his generation, even though his career was injury ridden. He’s also a class act, being that he had to play in the peak of the steroid era. Also, 2012 has been a tough year, help a guy out!
I would love to have the PHL-3 Mike schmidt card…there is not a person out there in the world who does not know him and what he has accomplished..if i get this card it will never be sold,only passed on!
My favorite player in the set would be Tom Glavine. I’m a huge Braves fan, and Glavine is one of my favorites. Not only because of his great talent, but because he is a good role model and cares about the sport and the fans.
This one is easy… Ken Griffey Jr. He has always been the player that I have searched for in packs since I was a kid. Chasing after his UD RC and watching him represent the town of Seattle makes this a very easy decision. Would love to see that card show up in a wax attack.
id love to full the kc-15 aaron crow/eric hosmer dual auto as they are my 2 favorite royals guys currently.those 2 will be a part of future royals success for years to come.thanks upper deck for a chance at a pack.
I woould like to add a Sandy Koufax auto to my collection. I have been a Dodgers fan since I was a kid. Out of all the greats in Dodger history, he has to rank as one of the greatest.
Hands down, it has to be Don Mattingly!! I am a YANKEE fan because of this man, and Derek Jeter is a close second to Donnie Baseball. My new collection would be Josh Hamilton, but nothing beats pulling a New York Yankee autograph from a pack!!!!!
Sandy Koufax is my favorite player in the set, I would like to pull his autograph. I’m a huge Dodgers fan, he is a true Dodgers legend. He was the first pitcher to pitch four no-hitters and is a very rare signature.
I am above all a die hard CUBS fan. Love the fact that there are 15 plus cub cards to choose from. To choose one is a difficult task but I would have to go with Mark Grace. If a picture is worth a thousand words then these autographs must be worth a million. Absolutely spectacular, way to make the best of a less than perfect situation. GO CUBS!
I love how every tier has great players. Griffey Jr tiered at 1:1.5 packs? Are you kidding me? Love the blend of newer stars and stars from yesterday from the 90’s on back. Great idea with the multiple player pairings too. I’d love to get my hands on the Bryce Harper/Stephen Strasburgh and hold onto it for a few years but on a purely collecting point of view, my favorites would be the Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. and the Nolan Ryan.
Without a doubt is Vincent Bo Jackson! Waaaaaaaar Eagle!
Baseball sucks. Seriously. But if I pulled a Joe Carter I promise not to tell anyone!
Bo Jackson. As a kid I used to love the Bo knows sports commercials. I’ve always been a huge Montreal Canadiens fan and the sight of Jackson in the Habs jersey with LeBo on the back would make me laugh hysterically. Too bad his careers were cut short.
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