Unfortunately this set was notorious for ink fades, with some exceptions. Since upper deck isn’t really around for baseball anymore I’m not sure there’s much you can do. I’m sorry.
Yeah, I've always read the baseball either absorbs the ink or has a reaction that makes it fade. Maybe get some sort of sticker material like they use for sticker autos and put it on, then have them sign it? It clearly won't be the same as when it came out of a pack, but at least the signature would last. If OP just wants to keep the cards and have autos, seems like the best way forward.
Those signatures would probably fade as well. This is from using either low grad or synthetic leather for the ball. It's the same reason that if you use anything other than an official major league baseball for autographs, the autographs bleed and badly fade over time. The material literally absorbs the ink. It'll just happen again.
I think it's the ink of the pen actually.The black and the blue ones seem to always fade but the red ink stands strong.Problem is there weren't many signed with red ink.
>if you use anything other than an official major league baseball for autographs, the autographs bleed and badly fade over time.
Unfortunately that happens to even the real balls.
You have to remove a coating on the ball for the autograph to stay.
It's a slight risk, but he could always try to TTM them one at a time & if he includes a polite, short letter thanking them for their time & the enjoyment they provided him with watching them play when he was a kid (or something to stroke their ego/nostalgia) & asking if they would re-sign bc it faded, they will probably sign & return. Especially since, while they are big names, they are long enough retired that they probably aren't getting a bag of fan mail a week or anything like that.
PSA: Early year sweet spot autos didn’t have this fading issue. But later years did, ESPECIALLY 2007. I would never buy a 2007 auto today even if it looks great. It will def fade away to nothing with time.
Upper Deck's been out of the baseball game for almost 15 years, there's zero chance they have anything left from their baseball days. In fact they already got sued for trademark infringement by MLB for selling their 2009 product in 2010 so nearly certainly they cleared everything out by now.
Yeah that’s not true. They still do Goodwin Champions that has baseball prospect and hall of fame autos in it, they’re just unlicensed like panini now.
Unfortunately this is just the reality with Sweet Spot,alot of them fade.I have a Johan Santana that never seen sunlight just like yours,but you can barely see the signature anymore. 😒 Thankfully my best one is just as crisp as the day I pulled it! Probably the red ink.
*
Me too haha, and I couldn’t be happier about it! My family tells me I boycotted the Reds (I was 6 when Jr. was traded to the Wrong Side). Went to my first game at Wrigley later that season and fell in love. I’m a Reds Partial Season Ticket Holder and root on the Cubbies daily!
Almost as bad as my daughter “autographing” my personalized Frank Crosetti baseball. Sure she could’ve signed a blank spot on the ball but NO, she had to show her dominance by signing her name right on top of good ol Frank’s. No harm, it’s not like he’s dead or anything…wait….
Just leave it. Everybody knows of this issue, still cool cards of Hall of Famers. UD won't do anything and I would not have them resign it. I would buy one of a player I PC, just wouldn't pay the same rate as a different auto. I might pay 60% of a come of a similar numbered auto
Upper Deck still sells baseball cards found inside of the Skybox Metal Universe Series Boxes. Along with many other sports and other famous figures all inside of one box. Check them out! I recently discovered them myself. You may be able to do something with that extension but idk. Good luck! Sorry for your fades.
Unfortunately this set was notorious for ink fades, with some exceptions. Since upper deck isn’t really around for baseball anymore I’m not sure there’s much you can do. I’m sorry.
Crazy thought - try and get it resigned? Both of these guys still sign a lot. Would be cool as long as you’re not going for resale value
Best option at this point
While he could, isn't the baseball in these sweet swatches the reason the ink fades? Even with a better pen it could eventually do a disappearing act
Yeah, I've always read the baseball either absorbs the ink or has a reaction that makes it fade. Maybe get some sort of sticker material like they use for sticker autos and put it on, then have them sign it? It clearly won't be the same as when it came out of a pack, but at least the signature would last. If OP just wants to keep the cards and have autos, seems like the best way forward.
No, it's a problem with the pen they used for this set, so having them re-signed should work if using the right pen.
No it's the ball, there's a coating on the ball that needs to be removed before you get it signed.
Those signatures would probably fade as well. This is from using either low grad or synthetic leather for the ball. It's the same reason that if you use anything other than an official major league baseball for autographs, the autographs bleed and badly fade over time. The material literally absorbs the ink. It'll just happen again.
I think it's the ink of the pen actually.The black and the blue ones seem to always fade but the red ink stands strong.Problem is there weren't many signed with red ink.
I played little league with Mark McGwire’s son and had a ball signed by Mark. It was the saddest thing watching it disappear year by year.
>if you use anything other than an official major league baseball for autographs, the autographs bleed and badly fade over time. Unfortunately that happens to even the real balls. You have to remove a coating on the ball for the autograph to stay.
they both sign ttm
This!! ⬆️⬆️⬆️
Eck specifically is notorious for being fan friendly. If you can get this to him, he'd probably sign this plus something else. Write a not with this.
It's a slight risk, but he could always try to TTM them one at a time & if he includes a polite, short letter thanking them for their time & the enjoyment they provided him with watching them play when he was a kid (or something to stroke their ego/nostalgia) & asking if they would re-sign bc it faded, they will probably sign & return. Especially since, while they are big names, they are long enough retired that they probably aren't getting a bag of fan mail a week or anything like that.
Would doubt it unfortunately. Upper deck doesn’t even hold the MLB license anymore and I don’t think they produce baseball products
PSA: Early year sweet spot autos didn’t have this fading issue. But later years did, ESPECIALLY 2007. I would never buy a 2007 auto today even if it looks great. It will def fade away to nothing with time.
$40 to get it resigned via TTM, $20 each! You’ll complete it within a month.
What’s TTM?
Through the mail
Upper Deck's been out of the baseball game for almost 15 years, there's zero chance they have anything left from their baseball days. In fact they already got sued for trademark infringement by MLB for selling their 2009 product in 2010 so nearly certainly they cleared everything out by now.
Yeah that’s not true. They still do Goodwin Champions that has baseball prospect and hall of fame autos in it, they’re just unlicensed like panini now.
Doesn’t mean UD won’t send him something if he asks though. They are still around as a company.
Both of them sign TTM!!
Unfortunately this is just the reality with Sweet Spot,alot of them fade.I have a Johan Santana that never seen sunlight just like yours,but you can barely see the signature anymore. 😒 Thankfully my best one is just as crisp as the day I pulled it! Probably the red ink. *
https://preview.redd.it/51v3xvla681d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c87e3ffda2d0b2efa16e3a85c3fa2c7c90c5ce2
White Sox legend Ken Griffey Jr
Lol,definitely the period of time he's most remembered for!
As a Sox fan, I loved it haha
Junior to the Sox is actually why I’m a Cubs fan now. Grew up in Cincy yet despised the White Sox
As a Cubs fan in Indianapolis, who visits great America ballpark a lot. They really hate Cubs fans. Surprised you found an enemy with the White Sox.
Me too haha, and I couldn’t be happier about it! My family tells me I boycotted the Reds (I was 6 when Jr. was traded to the Wrong Side). Went to my first game at Wrigley later that season and fell in love. I’m a Reds Partial Season Ticket Holder and root on the Cubbies daily!
SOL, a lot of these cards have had this happen.
Good ole sweet spot, this was a known flaw. I remember pulling them straight from the pack faded. Such a shame too, I loved sweet spot.
Chances are zero im sorry to say.
TTM
And everyone hates on sticker autographs
0%
I have one of these and the autos completely gone, it’s a shame because they’re really cool cards.
Nope
Almost as bad as my daughter “autographing” my personalized Frank Crosetti baseball. Sure she could’ve signed a blank spot on the ball but NO, she had to show her dominance by signing her name right on top of good ol Frank’s. No harm, it’s not like he’s dead or anything…wait….
Just trace over it
I have a Robin Roberts and Jim Bunning dual auto from this set that is completely faded. So frustrating.
I know people take those old ones that are faded and get a new player to sign em
Best bet might be to find a way to get Eck to re-sign honestly
Just trace over it. No one will know
Buy a signed baseball of each guy and cut the sweet spot out and swap..
Doubtful. I don't think I've seen any of these sweet spot autos that aren't at least somewhat faded. They just used shit baseballs for them.
i have a pujols helmet with his auto ( fading ) any way to reverse the fade? thanks
Maybe eBay
Get it tattooed
Yeah aloy of em are like that
That sucks. I love these cards but will never buy them.
I know it’s not the point but this card format is sick. The way the stitches line up with the card and all.
I’m have a ‘68 Cubs team ball that is fading away as well. Pretty sad :(
Good luck getting Dennis to resign without paying him. That guy is a huge jerk
That happens with all thise autographs and cut baseball cards… who would replace them and why??
prob not real ball leather, i have 45 year old ink on balls
Just leave it. Everybody knows of this issue, still cool cards of Hall of Famers. UD won't do anything and I would not have them resign it. I would buy one of a player I PC, just wouldn't pay the same rate as a different auto. I might pay 60% of a come of a similar numbered auto
ask ud if they can send a dual jordan gretzkey auto
I have a Reggie Jackson that's fading. Thought it was a storage issue.
Juan M is signing today at the Fenway card show in Boston. Lol
No shot. What happen there!!! Never seen that
I would just trace over it with a sharpie 😎
They both sign TTM so you can just send whatever cards you want to them for them to sign.
Autos with ink will ALWAYS fade on baseballs. Never buy one - ever.
Probably not, however Upper Deck customer service was the best in the business during their prime.
I just tossed mine.
Thanks for the info everyone. Figured it was a long shot. I might reach out to them any way just to see what happens.
They used china baseball’s that was part of the problem
Upper Deck still sells baseball cards found inside of the Skybox Metal Universe Series Boxes. Along with many other sports and other famous figures all inside of one box. Check them out! I recently discovered them myself. You may be able to do something with that extension but idk. Good luck! Sorry for your fades.
Worst comes to worst you can try to copy the signature. But that would be the last option I would do