Chris Hammond Autographed 1991 Upper Deck #748 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1991 Upper Deck #748 Chris Hammond is an early-career card featuring the left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, this Upper Deck issue captures him near the beginning of a Major League career that would ultimately span parts of 14 seasons.

Hammond was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft following his collegiate career at the University of Alabama. He progressed through Cincinnati's minor league system before making his Major League debut on July 16, 1990.

The 1991 Upper Deck #748 is part of the High Number Series and is particularly interesting because the card carries Upper Deck's Rookie designation. That makes it a desirable rookie-era issue for collectors seeking Hammond's early mainstream cards.

Hammond made seven starts for Cincinnati during his first Major League season. His arrival came during the Reds' memorable 1990 championship campaign, when Cincinnati went wire-to-wire in first place, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series and swept the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.

Hammond later became a regular starting pitcher for the Florida Marlins. During the expansion franchise's inaugural season in 1993, he made 32 starts and won a career-high 15 games.

His career later featured an exceptional comeback. After spending three seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as a dominant relief pitcher. He finished the season 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond continued pitching through 2006, ultimately appearing for the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres. His longevity and successful transition from starter to reliever make his early Cincinnati issues an appealing record of where his Major League career began.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1991
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Set: Upper Deck
• Card Number: #748
• High Number Series issue
• Carries Upper Deck's Rookie designation
• 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 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 rookie-era issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, 1991 Upper Deck baseball cards, High Number Series cards, rookie issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.