Chris Hammond Autographed 1990 ProCards #225 Nashville Sounds Card

The 1990 ProCards #225 Chris Hammond is an early minor league issue featuring the left-handed pitching prospect with the Nashville Sounds, then the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card captures him at the highest level of the minor leagues during the same season in which he reached the Major Leagues for the first time.

Hammond was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. After progressing through Cincinnati's farm system with clubs including the Tampa Tarpons and Chattanooga Lookouts, he advanced to Triple-A Nashville.

The 1990 season was a pivotal one for Hammond. He pitched for Nashville before earning a promotion to Cincinnati and making his Major League debut on July 16. That gives this ProCards issue a strong prospect-to-Majors connection, documenting Hammond immediately before he began a lengthy big-league career.

The Nashville Sounds competed in the Triple-A American Association and were affiliated with Cincinnati from 1987 through 1992. Minor league cards from this period provide collectors with team affiliations and uniforms that generally did not appear on mainstream Major League releases.

Hammond made seven starts for Cincinnati during his first Major League season. The Reds went wire-to-wire in first place in 1990 and ultimately swept the Oakland Athletics to capture the World Series championship.

Hammond later became a regular starter with the Florida Marlins, winning a career-high 15 games during Florida's inaugural 1993 season. His career then took an extraordinary turn when, after several seasons away from the Major Leagues, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36.

Working out of Atlanta's bullpen, Hammond went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs in 76 innings. His successful comeback extended a Major League career that ultimately lasted through 2006.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Nashville Sounds
• Year: 1990
• Manufacturer: ProCards
• Set: ProCards
• Card Number: #225
• Early minor league issue
• Features Hammond with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
• Nashville was a Cincinnati Reds affiliate
• American Association minor league issue
• Produced during Hammond's Major League debut season
• Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Reached the Major Leagues with Cincinnati in 1990
• Won a career-high 15 games with Florida in 1993
• Recorded 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 minor league card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Nashville Sounds memorabilia, Cincinnati Reds prospects, 1990 ProCards, Triple-A baseball cards, minor league issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.