Chris Hammond Autographed 1991 Fleer #65 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1991 Fleer #65 Chris Hammond features the young left-handed pitcher during the beginning of his Major League career with the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, this early-career issue comes from a career that would ultimately span parts of 14 Major League seasons and include one of the most remarkable comeback seasons by a relief pitcher in the early 2000s.

Hammond was selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He progressed through the Reds' minor league system before making his Major League debut on July 16, 1990, starting against the Montreal Expos.

His rookie season coincided with an unforgettable year in Cincinnati. The 1990 Reds went wire-to-wire in first place, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series and swept the heavily favored Oakland Athletics to capture the World Series championship. Hammond made seven starts for Cincinnati during the regular season.

The 1991 Fleer #65 therefore represents Hammond at the very beginning of his Major League journey. He spent much of his early career as a starting pitcher and later became a regular member of the Florida Marlins rotation, including a career-high 15 victories in 1993, the franchise's inaugural season.

Hammond's career eventually took an unusual turn. After pitching for Boston in 1998, he spent several seasons away from the Major Leagues before returning with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36. His comeback was extraordinary: Hammond went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances, surrendering only seven earned runs in 76 innings.

That resurgence extended Hammond's career for several more seasons. He subsequently pitched for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres, making his final Major League appearance in 2006.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1991
• Manufacturer: Fleer
• Set: Fleer
• Card Number: #65
• Early Major League career issue
• Cincinnati Reds card
• Hammond made his MLB debut in 1990
• Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Reached the Majors during Cincinnati's 1990 World Series championship season
• Won a career-high 15 games with Florida in 1993
• Made a remarkable Major League comeback with Atlanta in 2002
• Posted a 0.95 ERA over 76 innings 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, 1991 Fleer baseball cards, early-1990s baseball, Atlanta Braves players, or autographed baseball cards.