The 1991 Topps #258 Chris Hammond is an early-career flagship issue featuring the young left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card was released shortly after his Major League debut and comes from the historic 40th anniversary Topps baseball set.
The 1991 Topps set celebrated 40 years of Topps baseball cards, with the company's familiar anniversary logo incorporated into the design. The set is remembered for its clean white borders, colorful photography and extensive 792-card checklist, making it a popular representation of early-1990s baseball.
Hammond was selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching for the University of Alabama. He progressed through the Reds' minor league system before making his Major League debut on July 16, 1990.
Hammond made seven starts for Cincinnati during his first Major League season. His arrival came during one of the most memorable years in franchise history, as the 1990 Reds went wire-to-wire in first place, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series and swept the Oakland Athletics to capture the World Series.
The 1991 Topps #258 represents Hammond near the beginning of his Major League career and carries the added appeal of being his early flagship Topps issue. For player collectors, the card provides a mainstream counterpart to Hammond's numerous minor league, regional and specialty releases from the same stage of his career.
Hammond later became a regular starting pitcher with the Florida Marlins, winning a career-high 15 games during the franchise's inaugural 1993 season. After several years away from Major League Baseball, he returned to produce one of the most impressive seasons of his career.
Pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36, Hammond went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances. He allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings and continued his Major League career through 2006.
Card Details:
- Player: Chris Hammond
- Team: Cincinnati Reds
- Year: 1991
- Manufacturer: Topps
- Set: Topps
- Card Number: #258
- Classic Topps flagship issue
- Part of Topps' 40th anniversary baseball set
- Early-career Chris Hammond card
- Features Hammond with the Cincinnati Reds
- Issued shortly after his 1990 Major League debut
- 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
- 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 flagship card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, 1991 Topps baseball cards, Topps 40th Anniversary issues, early player cards, or autographed baseball memorabilia.