Chris Hammond Autographed 1992 Leaf #178 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1992 Leaf #178 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds during the early portion of his Major League career. Personally autographed by Hammond, this Leaf issue dates from his final season in the Cincinnati organization before he was selected by the expansion Florida Marlins and received the opportunity to become a full-time Major League starter.

Leaf entered the 1990s positioned as one of Donruss' more premium baseball products, with an emphasis on upgraded card stock, photography and presentation. The 1992 Leaf set continued that approach with its distinctive design, making Hammond's #178 a nice complement to his other mainstream Cincinnati issues from the period.

Hammond was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He spent several years developing through Cincinnati's farm system before making his Major League debut on July 16, 1990.

Hammond's first Major League season coincided with Cincinnati's memorable 1990 championship campaign. He made seven starts for the Reds during the regular season as Cincinnati went wire-to-wire in first place and eventually swept the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.

The 1992 season marked the conclusion of Hammond's time with Cincinnati. Following the season, he was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, a move that proved significant for his career.

Given a regular place in Florida's rotation, Hammond made 32 starts in 1993 and went 15-12, leading the first-year Marlins in victories. He remained primarily a starting pitcher through the first portion of his career before later achieving remarkable success as a reliever.

After three seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36. He delivered an extraordinary comeback season, going 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances while allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond's resurgence extended his career through 2006. He ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons for seven organizations, giving his early Cincinnati cards an interesting connection to a career noted for both longevity and reinvention.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1992
• Manufacturer: Leaf
• Set: Leaf
• Card Number: #178
• Early-career Chris Hammond issue
• Features Hammond with the Cincinnati Reds
• Premium-era Leaf baseball card
• Issued during Hammond's final season in the Cincinnati organization
• Sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut in 1990
• Selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Went 15-12 with 32 starts for Florida in 1993
• Led the inaugural Marlins in victories
• Made a remarkable comeback with Atlanta in 2002
• Posted an exceptional 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances 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, 1992 Leaf baseball cards, Florida Marlins history, early player issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.