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
I would love to pull a Nolan Ryan autograph. When you think Texas, you think Dallas Cowboys, Big Tex, the Alamo, & Nolan Ryan. Since he played for both Texas teams, he is a true Texas treasure.
Chipper Jones would be a great auto to pull. One of the first treasured RC’s of my collection was his 91 UD Rookie. 20 years later and he is still an All-Star and class act!!!
As a child growing up my big 3 were Bucky dent, Micky rivers and Greg nettles. So I would be thrilled to pull a Bucky dent auto although I surely wouldn’t be dissapointed with a jeter!!!!!
As a fan of the Royals I would have to say that I would love a Bo Jackson autograph, my favorite Royal after George Brett. Bo’s athleticism was just amazing to watch. It is too bad that his careers (baseball and football) were cut short by injury.
I have a nice collection. But one auto has eluded me. And its Sandy Koufax!
Cal Ripken Jr. Who else is there. 2632 consecutive games, I rushed home from school to see him break the record that night. It was incredible to see him hesitantly come out for a curtain call. Showed the class and sportsman ship of the game that had gone wayward to that point.
Ferguson Jenkins
Wow one of the best Canadians ever and i bet not everybody knows that besides being a Hall of Famer he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters.Now that would be a nice card
I would say Josh Hamilton. He and I are a lot alike in many respects. His ability to overcome the inner demons of alcoholism has been an inspiration for me. And he’s also shown that even though you may fall off the wagon, tomorrow is another day and the first day of the rest of your life. Thanks for your consideration…
I would love the Will “The Thrill” Autograph. Will Clark was my idol growing up and I remember writing to him when I was younger and he responded with a signed card in 1989. This card would be a cap on my large collection.
Gee this is tough but i would have to say Joe Carter. For the bulk of my life I have lived around Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Mr. Carter was such a important part of the Blue Jays being the first non USA team to win the World Series which sometimes forget these days. Om a side note I do not know if these 2 players on the checklist and if they are not I think if you another set they should be part of. The players are Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett. DW cause he is a guy who would always make you a smile and even when he accidently killed a seagull rather then try to deny it he stepped up. As for Kirby like DW was a class act but alas was taken from the game way to soon and its a shame cause who knows what might of happenned if he did not pass.
I tihnk that royals quad card is PB& J
Strasburg and Harper. They are the new up and coming stars of the MLB and will be the FACE of Baseball for years to come !! The will have the Nationals in the World series VERY soon !
I had a baseball signed with some greats from the Macon Redbirds back in the early 1980’s. Vince Coleman signed the ball, but Lou Brock was there and signed the sweet spot. My parents dog used it as his toy, destroyed it, and Lou’s signature was gone forever.
For sure it would have to be Bo Jackson. Bo is as classic, dynamic and timeless as Upper Deck itself. Pulling a Bo Jackson autograph would bring me back to the classic days of Upper Deck baseball.
wow~ i always dreamed of a Nolan Ryan autogragh, and thought i may someday get an autogragh of Sandy Koufax, or Ernie Banks!!!!!
when i was a kid, i would spread my cards on the floor while i was watching the game!!!! GO CUBBIES!!!!
My favorite player in this set is Gary Carter. I would love to pull an autograph of him because he is one the bravest and most honest men to ever play the game of baseball. He always played his heart out and gave 110 percent, people will truly miss him because of his amazing character and positive influence in the game of baseball.
Mine would be frank thomas he is my hero and a man I looked up to when I was a little kid growing up playing baseball. I wanted to be like him and hit homeruns and do amazing plays. Go whitesox!
WoW! This set has an impressive checklist! I would love the chance to pull a Steve Garvey autograph!Thanks Upper Deck!
I would love to pull a Lou Brock autograph. He was fun to watch and was a classy player.
I am a big San Francisco Giants fan. So far, I’ve been unlucky in getting cards that are absolute beauties. The one card that I can say is a difference maker in this collection is the WAS-11 Bryce Harper/Stephen Strasburg card.
Jose Canseco
Despite all his current issues with baseball, as an A’s fan I remember going to games or watching them on tv and seeing line drives that he hit turn into home runs, or when he went for 40/40, or when he tried to pitch with his knuckler. He always Played like a boy in man’s body, and although not many people seem to remember him this way, I always do.
I would love to pull a signed Johnny Bench card. My dad and I are huge Reds fans, and Johnny Bench is a legend and one of the best catchers to play the game. We have lots of Reds memorabilia, but nothing would compare to pulling a card like that.
I would love to pull a Stan Musial or Ozzie Smith auto card. I am a Cardinal fan so they would be a great addition to my collection. Ozzie Smith would be a great one since I grew up watching him when I was younger and I have yet to get lucky enough to pull one of his.
I would like to get Lou Brock,grew up watching him and thought he was a great player.
i would love to pull a pre 40’s hall of fame player. but for 60’s and above i would love to pull a sandy koufax. he is such a recluse. when you see him at spring training, he is behind a guarded fence. will not sign at all. some say he only will sign for money, not for the average collector who doesn’t resell. iv’e been a collector since the 50’s, and my son’s have collected since the 70’s and my youngest since the 90’s. we don’t sell our cards. we have an extra bedroom full of cards and collectables. would really love to get something real nice to pass on.
I would love to pull a Mike Morse. The first time he came to Atlanta to play, he through me a baseball coming off the field. I wasn’t able to get him to sign it and I don’t have his autograph.
Derek Jeter by far! I am a Yankees fan and he is the reason why I started to collect Upper Deck trading cards!
Oh how I would love the chance to pull a Joe Torre autograph to give to my father. He got me started collecting some 30 years ago and Mr. Torre was always one of his favorite players and then coaches. My father is a man who loves to teach the game of baseball to children and a Joe Torre autograph given to him would be a most fitting show of appreciation.
Two words – JOE CARTER!! I still get shivers thinking back to Game 6 1993. Bottom of the ninth, 2 on, 2-2 pitch, and Joe smacks a huge walk off 3 run homer to win the World Series for the Blue Jays!!! I get a tear in the eye everytime I hear the late great radio announcer Tom Cheek’s radio clip from that game……”Touch ’em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”
Since I could remember I have always been a huge Nolan Ryan fan. I seen him pitch many of games growing up for the Texas Rangers and was always in awh of his pitching ability. My father and I had a talk once while at a game together that when I have children hopefully two boys that I would name one Nolan and the other Ryan. Well who would of guessed that this would have really happened. I have two boys that are named after the best pitcher in the game Nolan Ryan. My two boys are young 9 years and 6 years and are avid baseball card collectors and is a pastime that I can enjoy with them. Being able to pull a Nolan Ryan would be a awsome experience not just for myself but something that my two boys would be able to experience all the excitement as well. Thanks for your time and hopefully my boys Nolan and Ryan and myself will be able to enjoy this excitement and pastime with Upper Deck. Thanks again
Would love to pull a Yaz auto. My dad’s all-time favourite player. Reminds me of attending Red Sox games with him whenever they came to Toronto.
My favorite would be Randy Johnson as a big, intimidating guy he is actually quite sincere and a really nice guy in person. I met him at a card show years back and he was really into chatting with all the people in line to get his autograph and to have a real conversation where he cared what was said in the process!
My favorite would be Will “The Thrill” Clark. Growing up, I wanted to be like him. I was a left handed first baseman who batted left handed, and was number 22 on my little league team. I liked the way he played the game, and the fact that he still is involved with the SF Giants.
Well first of all i would like to say how awesome the checklist is, perfect mix of prospects, todays stars, and legends this is why UD needs their license back. I would love to pull a Joe Mauer auto because he is my fav player and one of the best offensive catchers in the game right now in my opinion. Thx for the contest.
Derek Jeter for sure!! He is a legend. growing up as a little girl the Yankees were and still are my team.
I would LOVE to pull the NYY7 card,to add to my Bucky Dent collection.My Grandfather introduced me to the hobby at around age 8,and his love of the Yankees (which I could watch locally on WWOR).That’s one of the many great things about collecting: it’s a lifetime of great memories harnessed in 2 x 3 pieces of cardboard!
While normally I want a picture of the player on a card, to own a Koufax autograph would have great meaning for me. Koufax not only started out as a youngster on the Brooklyn Dodgers, the city where I was born, but he is also Jewish as I am, and he wouldn’t pitch on Yom Kippor for which I gained tremendous respect for the man. Other Jews have played on this holiest of days, but not Koufax. A great pitcher, a great man, and a man of his convictions. I treasure him greatly.
My favorite is Paul Molitor. Molly was the best to ever play for the Brew Crew and helped us get to our only World Series. And on top of that the guy had 3,319 hits which is remarkable. I can’t wait only 538 days until Upper Deck can make MLB baseball cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to pull an autographed card from my favorite player the Heater from Van Meter Bob Feller. He was my grandpa’s favorite and after hearing his stories he bacame my favorite. Plus i now live in Iowa and would love to have something from a local player.
Although I am more of a hockey guy, I would be thrilled to pull a Chipper Jones autograph. When I live outside of Atlanta at about the age of 5, we’d go out and see Braves games on occasion, and my dad used to call me the little Chipper Jones. “He’s no batter, he’s no batter!” he would call out, and it made my day every time we played–it brings back great childhood memories–and that’s why I’d love to hit him out of any other autograph, even being a Yankees fan. 🙂
I hate the yankees but i miss the days of when a player was with 1 team for his entire career. It takes tremendous loyalty and commitment by both the player and the team to not only eachother but to the fans as well. for that reason i’d love to pull a Derek Jeter or Chipper Jones
There’s ALOT of great names on the checklist but if i had to pick just one it would have to me Albert Pujols!! I know he hasnt had the best season so far but considering this is his first average season since he started in 2001, thats pretty amazing! The seasons only half way over so he could still be back at his best by the playoffs. He is one of the good guys in the game today. Im so happy you guys released a baseball product!! I really missed you guys at UpperDeck putting out baseball cards. Im glad i have something new to buy now! You guys at Upper Deck keep up the great work!!!!
Growing up in Montreal in the late 70’s & early 80’s brings back memories of the Montreal Expos playing at Jarry Park then the Olympic Stadium. That is why I would love to to pull an autograph card of Gary Carter in group C of the 2012 SP Signature Edition Baseball. God rest “The Kid”!!!
My favorite player is Ernie Banks. I never got to see him play but i met him one time at a Cubs game, one of the nicest guys ever, I wanted his autograph but neither of us had a pen. If i got one pack of these I have my shot. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck to all!
Don Newcombe!!!! Most would laugh…. Until 2011 he was the only player in the MLB to win R.O.Y. , M.V.P. and the Cy Young Awards. He was a lights out pitcher and never got his accolades. Everyone wants Koufax I would take Newcombe.
I would be pumped to get the Jeter card. Not only is he my favorite player but he makes me proud to be a Yankee’s fan and baseball fan. He is what the game is supposed to be about and he is a hero for young inspiring athletes.
Luis Aparicio
When I first started collecting I didn’t have much money to spend on this crazy addiction.
I was looking for something at a low price.
I stopped by my LCS and the owner’s wife saw me admiring the cards in the case and we chatted for a while. She made me a deal. Choose a player in the case. I chose Luis. Then look up the player and come back to the shop with stats and any other information I could find on him. If the info was correct, she would give me the cards for free.
I was on it and did my fact checking. I have been hooked on cards since.
Even though I am a Reds fan, I would most want to pull YM-5 Gary Carter because Mr. Carter embodied everything that was good and right about baseball. He stayed late after games signing autographs, always played hard, never embarrassed himself, his team or the league, and he always had a smile for fans. I wish there were more Gary Carters playing MLB and it would be an honor to have one of his cards.
My favorite player to pull would be Jack Clark from the SF Giants. As a life long Giants fan, I remember as a kid having framed pictures of him and Vida Blue up on my wall with their cards in the corner. I think they’re still in a box in my parents garage, thanks for making me want to search for them now!
The card I would most like to pull would be the Jim Thome Card. When I was a kid I pulled a facsimile signature card of his out of a cereal box. I was so proud to have that card because I thought it was real and I had the signature of my favorite player. When I was told it was a fake I was heartbroken. Now my dream is to someday own his real signature.
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