2006 UD Future Stars Clear Path To History
I have yet to figure out why there's a 'Derrek Lee' version of this
card. I like Lee, but I don't see how he's yet earned a place with Big
Frank and The Kid. Seems to me that someone like 'Crime Dog' Fred McGriff
would've been more appropriate.
You can however see both the error and corrected versions of the Thomas/Thome/Lee
combo on the two previous pages.
On a personal note - I really dislike this version of Big Frank's sig.
Okay, I know and really do appreciate how difficult it is to sign hundreds,
maybe thousands of signatures - especially on tiny little stickers.
But...yikes. <laughing> ;-D
2005 UD Ultimate Six Star Signatures #'d to 10
Now, I'm not 100% clear on how these worked. But based on statements
made by the guys who actually got to "choose" - this was how:
Winning cards were 'blank' with the words, "You Choose" inserted
into the auto fields with silouetted headshots. (I obtained a scan that
validates that part) After going to UD's website you then inputted your
winning redemption code, at which point an email was sent asking which
players, from UD's list of pre-chosen athletes, you wanted on 'your'
card.
But the part I still don't understand is how all ten winning cards have the exact same six players. I've seen four of these cards and they're all the same. Hypothetical: Suppose I wanted all my ChiSox players (from UD's provided list) to have been born in the US South. Shouldn't my choices reflect that? Or did the majority vote/choice 'win'? I'm guessing the latter. This scenario also hints of 'arm bar diplomacy'. Perhaps UD had already selected the players they were going to use and falsely gave the impression that winners had a genuine choice. IMO, given UD's recent record, that's a very real possibility.
2006 UD Ultimate Ensemble Signatures 3
With Bagwell's retirement two years ago - I honestly feel this should be one of the final issues which showcase these particular three players on the same card. At least not until all three have taken their Final Walk into the lockeroom. Why? Since both Griffey and Big Frank continue to play on, it seems to me at least, that this combination become less and less relevant. And it's not like they played in the same league, the same position, or the same team. This is a reminder of wonderful summers long since gone - an insert more appropriate for the "Legends & Icons" issues of the future.
2007 UD Black Upper Echelon Quad Autographs Silver #'d to 5
Friends of the site know that I've given up trying to build a master
set of UD Black and Exquisite. Sticker autos make the process way too
easy for Upper Deck to pump out limited edition cards from the numbering
machine.
Still,
including this Toronto team auto, I've made some notable exceptions
from both issues. <g>