Chris Hammond Autographed 1992 Score 100 Rising Stars #89 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1992 Score 100 Rising Stars #89 Chris Hammond is a distinctive early-career issue featuring the young left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card comes from Score's 100 Rising Stars release, a set devoted specifically to promising young players and emerging Major Leaguers.

Hammond's inclusion in the Rising Stars set reflects the potential he had shown while progressing through the Cincinnati organization. The Reds selected him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft following his collegiate career at the University of Alabama, and he steadily advanced through the minor leagues before reaching Cincinnati.

Hammond made his Major League debut on July 16, 1990. His first opportunity came during Cincinnati's memorable championship season, when the Reds went wire-to-wire in first place and ultimately swept the Oakland Athletics to capture the 1990 World Series.

The 1992 Score 100 Rising Stars #89 is particularly appealing within Hammond's early checklist because it was produced specifically as a prospect-oriented issue rather than as part of a standard flagship set. Its Rising Stars designation provides a snapshot of how Hammond was viewed as a developing pitcher before he received a regular spot in a Major League rotation.

That opportunity arrived following the 1992 season when Hammond was selected by the Florida Marlins in the MLB Expansion Draft. During Florida's inaugural 1993 season, he became a regular starter, making 32 starts and finishing 15-12. His 15 victories led the expansion Marlins and remained his career high.

Hammond's career later produced an even more remarkable chapter. After spending three seasons away from the Major Leagues, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as a highly effective reliever. He went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing just seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond continued pitching through 2006 and ultimately appeared in parts of 14 Major League seasons, making this Rising Stars card an interesting signed reminder of the expectations surrounding him near the beginning of that lengthy career.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1992
• Manufacturer: Score
• Set: 100 Rising Stars
• Card Number: #89
• Special prospect and young-player issue
• Features Hammond as one of Score's Rising Stars
• Early-career Cincinnati Reds card
• Distinct from Hammond's standard Score base issue
• 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 in 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 prospect-era issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, Score 100 Rising Stars, prospect cards, early player issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.