The 1990 ProCards Triple A All-Stars #AAA51 Chris Hammond is a desirable early-career minor league issue recognizing the left-handed pitching prospect as a Triple-A All-Star during his rise through the Cincinnati Reds organization. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card represents a specific achievement from the same season in which he reached the Major Leagues.
Hammond pitched for the Nashville Sounds, Cincinnati's Triple-A affiliate in the American Association, during the 1990 season. His performance at the highest level of the minor leagues earned him All-Star recognition and helped establish him as a pitcher ready for an opportunity in Cincinnati.
The ProCards Triple A All-Stars release is distinct from Hammond's regular Nashville Sounds and ProCards AAA issues. Rather than simply documenting his team affiliation, #AAA51 recognizes his performance among the top players at the Triple-A level, giving the card additional significance within Hammond's early-career checklist.
Hammond had been selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft following his collegiate career at the University of Alabama. After progressing through Cincinnati's farm system, he reached the Major Leagues in 1990, making seven starts for the Reds during his first season.
Hammond later became a regular member of the Florida Marlins rotation and enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1993, winning a career-high 15 games during the expansion franchise's inaugural campaign.
After several seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond engineered an exceptional comeback with the Atlanta Braves in 2002. At age 36, he went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.
His remarkable resurgence extended his career through 2006. Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons, appearing for seven organizations while finding success both as a starting pitcher and later as a reliever.
Card Details:
- Player: Chris Hammond
- Year: 1990
- Manufacturer: ProCards
- Set: Triple A All-Stars
- Card Number: #AAA51
- Early minor league All-Star issue
- Recognizes Hammond as a Triple-A All-Star
- Hammond pitched for the Nashville Sounds in 1990
- Nashville was the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
- Distinct from Hammond's regular ProCards Nashville team issues
- Issued during his Major League debut season
- Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
- Former University of Alabama pitcher
- Won a career-high 15 Major League games 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, Nashville Sounds memorabilia, Triple-A All-Stars, Cincinnati Reds prospects, ProCards minor league issues, All-Star cards, or autographed baseball memorabilia.