The 1990 CMC #130 Chris Hammond is an appealing minor league issue featuring the future Major League pitcher during his time with the Nashville Sounds. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card predates his Major League debut and provides collectors with an early look at a pitcher who would go on to enjoy a remarkably long professional career.
Hammond was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. A left-handed pitcher, he steadily worked his way through Cincinnati's minor league system before reaching Triple-A Nashville.
Hammond pitched for the Nashville Sounds in 1990, when the club served as the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. He made 24 starts for Nashville that season, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of the minor leagues before reaching Cincinnati the following year.
The 1990 CMC set is especially appealing to minor league and player collectors because of its extensive coverage of Triple-A baseball. Cards such as Hammond's #130 document players immediately before or during their transition to the Major Leagues and often feature uniforms and affiliations that are absent from mainstream MLB card releases.
Hammond made his Major League debut with Cincinnati in 1990 and later established himself as a starting pitcher with the Florida Marlins before eventually reinventing himself as an outstanding relief pitcher. His career included stops with the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres.
One of the most remarkable chapters of Hammond's career came after he had been away from the Major Leagues for several seasons. Returning with the Atlanta Braves in 2002, Hammond produced an extraordinary season out of the bullpen, finishing 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances. He allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings, establishing himself as one of baseball's most effective relievers that season.
Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons, with his career stretching from 1990 through 2006. His longevity and successful late-career comeback make this early Nashville card an interesting piece of his baseball story.
Card Details:
- Player: Chris Hammond
- Team: Nashville Sounds
- Year: 1990
- Manufacturer: CMC
- Set: CMC
- Card Number: #130
- Early minor league issue
- Features Hammond with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
- Nashville was a Cincinnati Reds affiliate
- Early-career card from around the time of Hammond's Major League debut
- Former University of Alabama pitcher
- Sixth-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1986 MLB Draft
- Later pitched for seven Major League organizations
- Recorded an outstanding 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances 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 card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Nashville Sounds memorabilia, Cincinnati Reds prospects, minor league baseball cards, 1990 CMC, Atlanta Braves players, or autographed baseball cards.