Series 2 Memorabilia and Autographed Cards
The retro-themed jersey cards from Series 1 also pop up in Series 2, along with autographed parallels of some of the insert sets. But what really gives the Series 2 hits an identity of their own is the inclusion of USA Baseball signatures and game-used cards.
Upper Deck has been producing card sets for USA Baseball for a number of years, and they've proved to be very popular with collectors. The company expands on that concept here, with autograph, jersey and autographed jersey cards from players on both the USA National Team and the USA Junior National Team. Jersey cards come in regular and patch versions, while autographs can be found in black, blue, red and green ink variations.
All three hits in my Series 2 sample box came from the USA baseball sets. I pulled a USA Junior National Team Jerseys Tyler Stovall, a USA National Team Autographs Tyson Ross (#'d to 500) and a USA National Team Autograph & Jersey Pedro Alvarez (#'d to 275).
Series 2 Insert Cards
USA Baseball also takes a starring role among the regular insert sets, with cards devoted to both national teams and a series depicting highlights from 2007. Star Quest carries over from Series 1 and Presidential Running Mate Predictors continue a slightly humorous look at the 2008 presidential campaign. The ongoing Yankee Stadium Legacy set runs through Series 2 as well.
It appears insert cards fall in just about every Series 2 pack. I found 14 in all: four Yankee Stadium Legacy, eight total USA Baseball cards and two Presidential Running Mate Predictors.
The Last Word
With stellar photography and a nice mix of inserts, there's plenty to like about the 2008 Upper Deck base brand. It does suffer a bit because of the hard-to-read base cards, which could be an issue for those looking to build the set.
Upper Deck doesn't have as long a history as some other companies, but this set proves it can make interesting cards that play off that history. That should serve it well when this brand celebrates its big 20th anniversary next season.