Chris Hammond Autographed 1989 ProCards Minor League Team Sets #1279

The 1989 ProCards Minor League Team Sets #1279 Chris Hammond is an early-career minor league issue featuring the left-handed pitching prospect as he continued his climb through the Cincinnati Reds organization. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card was produced before he became an established Major League pitcher and is an appealing piece from his prospect-era checklist.

Hammond was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He progressed steadily through Cincinnati's farm system, including stops with the Tampa Tarpons and Chattanooga Lookouts before reaching the upper levels of the organization.

By 1989, Hammond had developed into one of the Reds' more advanced pitching prospects. These ProCards minor league issues provide an interesting look at future Major Leaguers before they became regular subjects in nationally distributed Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck sets.

ProCards was one of the most prolific producers of minor league baseball cards during the era, creating team sets for clubs throughout affiliated professional baseball. The enormous numbering system used across the company's releases gives cards such as Hammond's #1279 a distinctive place among late-1980s minor league collectibles.

Hammond reached the Major Leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990. He later became a regular starting pitcher with the Florida Marlins, winning a career-high 15 games during the franchise's inaugural 1993 season.

His career eventually featured a remarkable resurgence. After several years away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and produced a dominant season out of the bullpen. He went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs across 76 innings.

Hammond's comeback allowed him to continue pitching through 2006. He ultimately appeared in parts of 14 Major League seasons, with stops in Cincinnati, Florida, Boston, Atlanta, New York, Oakland and San Diego.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Year: 1989
• Manufacturer: ProCards
• Set: Minor League Team Sets
• Card Number: #1279
• Early minor league issue
• Cincinnati Reds organization prospect
• Issued before Hammond became an established Major League pitcher
• Part of ProCards' extensive minor league team-set program
• Sixth-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut with Cincinnati in 1990
• Won a career-high 15 games with Florida in 1993
• Posted an exceptional 0.95 ERA with 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 prospect-era issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds prospects, 1989 ProCards, minor league baseball cards, early player issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.