Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Fleer Final Edition #F-61 Florida Marlins Card

The 1993 Fleer Final Edition #F-61 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during the franchise's inaugural Major League season. Personally autographed by Hammond, this updated late-season issue is especially appealing because it reflects his move from Cincinnati to Florida after some earlier 1993 cards still pictured him as a member of the Reds.

Fleer Final Edition served as the company's year-end update release, giving collectors cards of traded players, rookies and other players whose team affiliations had changed since production of the regular Fleer set. Hammond is an excellent example: his regular 1993 Fleer #35 showed him with Cincinnati, while Final Edition #F-61 updated him to his new Florida Marlins organization.

Hammond became a Marlin through the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, when Florida selected him from the Cincinnati Reds organization while constructing the first roster in franchise history. That makes this Final Edition card a particularly fitting piece of early Marlins memorabilia.

The opportunity in Florida resulted in Hammond's breakthrough as a Major League starter. During the Marlins' inaugural 1993 season, he took the ball for 32 starts and finished 15-12, leading the expansion club in victories. He also recorded three shutouts while providing valuable stability to a pitching staff assembled largely from expansion-draft selections and other newly acquired players.

Hammond had originally entered professional baseball after the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He made his Major League debut in 1990 and spent parts of three seasons with Cincinnati before the expansion draft dramatically changed the direction of his career.

His story eventually included an even more remarkable transformation. After spending three full seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002. Converted into a full-time reliever, he went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, surrendering only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons through 2006. With its Final Edition status, updated Marlins affiliation and connection to Florida's inaugural season, #F-61 is one of the more historically interesting Hammond cards from 1993.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Fleer
• Set: Fleer Final Edition
• Card Number: #F-61
• Year-end update issue
• Updates Hammond from the Cincinnati Reds to the Florida Marlins
• Distinct from his regular 1993 Fleer #35 Cincinnati Reds card
• Features Hammond during the Marlins' inaugural season
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Member of the original Florida Marlins roster
• Made 32 starts in 1993
• Finished 15-12
• Led the inaugural Marlins in victories
• Recorded three shutouts during the 1993 season
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Sixth-round selection of Cincinnati in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Made his Major League debut in 1990
• Returned to the Majors with Atlanta in 2002 after three seasons away
• Posted a remarkable 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 update issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins inaugural-season memorabilia, Fleer Final Edition cards, expansion-era baseball, or comprehensive autographed player collections.