The Beckett Blog

You knew it was just a matter of time: Michael Jackson has new trading cards . . . from the Super Bowl . . . in a baseball set.

Upper Deck officials announced on Wednesday evening that the company’s 2009 UDx Baseball release, due out in early August, will include four limited-edition Icons illustrated cards honoring the late King of Pop’s rousing, record-breaking Super Bowl XXVII halftime performance watched by more than 133 million people worldwide.

“Michael Jackson was a unique entertainer whose performances routinely exceeded expectations as he continually tested the boundaries with his music and dance,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck’s director of Sports Brands. “After witnessing the outpouring of love at his memorial, we knew the public would appreciate this commemorative collection to celebrate his larger-than-life persona. Both sport and music fans alike will no doubt reminisce about the memorable halftime performance.”

For the record, the Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills on that late-January evening in 1993, 52-17. Luckily for the more than 92,000 people in attendance, they had arguably the greatest halftime performance of all time to keep their interest. 

– Tracy Hackler