Chris Hammond Autographed 1988 Jennings Southern League All-Stars #36

The 1988 Jennings Southern League All-Stars #36 Chris Hammond is an especially appealing early minor league issue recognizing Hammond as a Southern League All-Star while he was developing in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card documents an actual early-career accomplishment rather than simply his minor league team affiliation.

Hammond spent the 1988 season pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati's Double-A affiliate in the Southern League. The left-hander's performance earned him recognition among the league's top players and inclusion in the Jennings Southern League All-Stars set.

The All-Star designation gives this card additional significance within Hammond's early checklist. Minor league issues can already be more challenging to locate than mainstream Major League cards, while regional and league-specific releases such as this Jennings set provide a snapshot of prospects before they became established big leaguers.

Hammond had been selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. His time with Chattanooga represented an important step toward the upper levels of Cincinnati's farm system, eventually leading to Triple-A Nashville and his Major League debut.

Hammond reached the Majors with Cincinnati in 1990 and later became a regular starting pitcher for the Florida Marlins. During Florida's inaugural 1993 season, he won a career-high 15 games while making 32 starts.

His career later produced an extraordinary second act. After several seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and delivered a dominant season out of the bullpen. He finished 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing just seven earned runs over 76 innings.

That comeback extended Hammond's career through 2006. He ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons, appearing for seven organizations and successfully transitioning from a starting pitcher into an effective late-career reliever.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Year: 1988
• Manufacturer: Jennings
• Set: Southern League All-Stars
• Card Number: #36
• Early minor league All-Star issue
• Recognizes Hammond as a 1988 Southern League All-Star
• Hammond pitched for the Chattanooga Lookouts
• Chattanooga was the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
• Regional/minor league collectible
• Predates Hammond's Major League debut
• Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Won a career-high 15 games in 1993
• Posted a remarkable 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 early-career issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Southern League memorabilia, Chattanooga Lookouts, minor league All-Star cards, Cincinnati Reds prospects, Jennings baseball cards, regional issues, or autographed baseball cards.