1998 Elite Back To The Future with Ortiz, #'d to 100
Collectors who busted card numbers #0001-0100 from this insert set were
supposed to find a card signed by Big Frank and David Ortiz. I
haven't been able to verify the reason(s) why neither player signed
his half of the cards. However, collectors
were
given the chance to send the unsigned card back to Donruss where they
would be given a corresponding autographed Elite Thomas card with the
same BTTF card number that was busted. In addition, the original BTTF
card would be returned.
This is the original unsigned card #0039/2500.
1998
Elite Special Auto #'d to 100
And
this is the corresponding redemption autograph. In this case: #39/100.
The same number as the BTTF card seen on the left. Note the Donruss
Embossed Logo on the lower corner.
The Rumor: I heard at the time that Ortiz thought, or was told, he was
going to be on the front of the cards. When he actually saw the
cards - and unhappily discovered that he was on the back side - he refused
to sign. When Frank heard Ortiz's reaction he also refused to sign.
Instead, Frank suggested that he autograph a select Donruss Elite card
for fans as a redemption.
You'll notice that Big Papi has no autograph parallel from this issue.
Inserted into boxes of various UD products throughout 2001 were these "e-Card" interactive inserts. (found in all UD products at a decent 1:12 packs) It instructed you to go to the Upper Deck website, and once there, login and input the imprinted code to see if your card would "e-Volve" into another item. Most times it just changed pictures, meaning that was it, the game was over. But on occasion the code would change your virtual e-Card into a winning prize. Sometimes an UD framed print, sometimes jerseys, caps, or bats (as far as I can determine these were all non-gamers), and other times special cards. And of all the card types available - the most rare were the Autographed Jersey cards.
This particular e-Card eVolved into that special card.
2001
UD eVolve Autograph Jersey Redemption #29/50 - Card #eSJ-FT
Note
the "eVolve" stamp below the Upper Deck diamond logo. Unlike
the other 2001 eVolve redemptions (see below), all auto jersey designs
were based on the previous year's (2000) UD Game Jersey inserts.
2001
UD eVolve Autograph Redemption #083/200 - Card #eS-FT
Note
the "eVolve" stamp next to the Upper Deck diamond logo.