Chris Hammond Autographed 1988 Best Chattanooga Lookouts #2

The 1988 Best Chattanooga Lookouts #2 Chris Hammond is an early minor league issue featuring the left-handed pitching prospect during his climb through the Cincinnati Reds organization. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card predates his Major League debut and captures him during the developmental years of a professional career that ultimately stretched across two decades.

Hammond was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. By 1988, he had advanced to the Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati's Double-A affiliate in the Southern League.

Hammond emerged as one of Chattanooga's primary starting pitchers during the 1988 season, continuing his progression toward the upper levels of the Reds' farm system. His performance eventually helped him advance to Triple-A Nashville before reaching Cincinnati and making his Major League debut in 1990.

The Best minor league sets of the late 1980s have developed a following among collectors because they document future Major Leaguers during stages of their careers that often received little coverage from mainstream card manufacturers. This #2 offers a particularly early representation of Hammond, issued roughly two years before his first Major League appearance.

Hammond went on to become a regular Major League starting pitcher, most notably with the Florida Marlins. In 1993, Florida's inaugural season, he won a career-high 15 games while making 32 starts for the expansion club.

Years later, Hammond authored one of the more impressive pitching comebacks of his era. After spending several seasons away from the Major Leagues, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances, allowing just seven earned runs in 76 innings.

Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons, appearing for the Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Chattanooga Lookouts
• Year: 1988
• Manufacturer: Best
• Set: Chattanooga Lookouts
• Card Number: #2
• Early minor league issue
• Features Hammond as a developing pitching prospect
• Chattanooga was the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
• Southern League issue
• Predates Hammond's Major League debut
• Sixth-round selection of Cincinnati in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Won a career-high 15 Major League games in 1993
• Recorded an exceptional 0.95 ERA for Atlanta in 2002
• Pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons
• Personally autographed
• Condition: NM-MT or better

Authentication: Signature obtained through a private signing conducted by Under the Radar Sports Promotions and guaranteed to pass any third-party authentication service.

An excellent signed minor league card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Chattanooga Lookouts memorabilia, Cincinnati Reds prospects, Southern League baseball, Best minor league cards, early player issues, or autographed baseball cards.