Surprise! Fukudome Japanese RC Pops Up in UD2

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Surprise! Fukudome Japanese RC Pops Up in UD2



The 2008 Upper Deck Series 2 RC of Chicago Cubs right fielder Kosuke Fukudome has garnered moderate secondary market interest since the product went live last week.

The English version, that is.

The distinction is important because, as collectors just now are learning, Upper Deck produced an even rarer version of the card as a way to get the Japanese market excited. The short-printed variation has all of his text and statistical information printed in Japanese.

"Fukudome has a huge following in Japan and we felt it necessary to recognize that by creating this rare version," said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck's baseball brand manager.

Early sales for this version have been in the $40-$60 range, compared to $3-$8 for the English version.

The company is not releasing information regarding the print run of the Japanese version, beyond admitting it is short printed.

Look for your first official pricing of these cards through the Beckett Online Price Guide during the week of June 16-20.

-Beckett.com