The 1990 Fleer #421 Chris Hammond is an early Major League card featuring the young left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card dates from the season in which he made his Major League debut and the Reds captured the 1990 World Series championship.
Hammond was selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He worked his way through the Reds' minor league system before reaching the Major Leagues in 1990, making his debut on July 16 against the Montreal Expos.
His arrival came during one of the most memorable seasons in Cincinnati history. The 1990 Reds occupied first place from Opening Day through the end of the regular season, winning the National League West before defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series.
Cincinnati then faced the heavily favored defending champion Oakland Athletics in the World Series. The Reds completed a stunning four-game sweep to capture the franchise's fifth World Series championship. Hammond made seven starts for Cincinnati during the regular season as a rookie.
The 1990 Fleer #421 is especially appealing as an early Hammond issue from his rookie season. It captures him at the beginning of a Major League career that would eventually span parts of 14 seasons and include success as both a starting pitcher and reliever.
Hammond later became a regular starter with the Florida Marlins and won a career-high 15 games during the franchise's inaugural 1993 season. After several seasons away from the Major Leagues, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and authored an extraordinary comeback, going 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances.
Hammond ultimately pitched through 2006, appearing for the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres during his lengthy Major League career.
Card Details:
- Player: Chris Hammond
- Team: Cincinnati Reds
- Year: 1990
- Manufacturer: Fleer
- Set: Fleer
- Card Number: #421
- Early Major League / rookie-year issue
- Features Hammond with the Cincinnati Reds
- Issued during Hammond's 1990 Major League debut season
- Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
- Former University of Alabama pitcher
- Made seven starts for Cincinnati during the 1990 season
- Member of the organization during the 1990 World Series championship season
- Won a career-high 15 games with Florida in 1993
- Posted a remarkable 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 early-career card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, 1990 Fleer baseball cards, rookie-year issues, 1990 Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, or autographed baseball cards.