Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Flair #51 Florida Marlins Card

The 1993 Flair #51 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher during the Florida Marlins' inaugural Major League season. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card combines an important season in Marlins franchise history with the debut edition of one of Fleer's most distinctive premium baseball card brands.

Fleer introduced Flair in 1993 as an upscale product designed to compete at the premium end of the baseball card market. The inaugural release featured thick card stock, high-gloss surfaces and multiple photographs, giving Flair a noticeably luxurious presentation compared with conventional baseball cards of the period.

Hammond joined Florida after being selected from the Cincinnati Reds organization in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft. The move proved pivotal for his career, as the Marlins gave him an opportunity to become a full-time member of a Major League starting rotation.

During Florida's historic first season in 1993, Hammond made 32 starts and went 15-12, leading the Marlins in victories. He also completed six games and threw three shutouts while logging more than 190 innings for the expansion club.

That makes the 1993 Flair #51 particularly appealing within Hammond's checklist. Unlike some early 1993 releases that continued to picture him with Cincinnati, this card features Hammond with the Florida Marlins, documenting his first season with the new franchise.

Hammond had originally been selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1990 before the expansion draft provided him with his breakthrough opportunity in Florida.

His career later produced an extraordinary second act. After three seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as an outstanding reliever. He went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons, making this inaugural-year Flair issue an attractive signed card from one of the most important seasons of his career.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Fleer
• Brand: Flair
• Card Number: #51
• From the inaugural 1993 Flair baseball set
• Premium thick-stock and glossy presentation
• Features Hammond during the Florida Marlins' inaugural season
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Member of the original 1993 Marlins roster
• Made 32 starts for Florida in 1993
• Finished the season 15-12
• Led the inaugural Marlins in victories
• Recorded three shutouts during the 1993 season
• Former sixth-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• 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 inaugural-season issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins memorabilia, original Marlins players, 1993 Flair baseball cards, inaugural Flair issues, or autographed baseball memorabilia.