Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Leaf #475 Florida Marlins Card

The 1993 Leaf #475 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during the expansion franchise's inaugural Major League season. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card captures an important turning point in his career as he emerged from his early Cincinnati years to become one of the original Marlins' most dependable starting pitchers.

By 1993, Leaf had established itself as one of Donruss' more premium baseball brands, with an emphasis on upgraded card stock, glossy presentation and strong photography. The 1993 set continued that premium approach, making Hammond's #475 an attractive early Florida Marlins issue from the franchise's first year.

Hammond arrived in Florida through the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft after spending the beginning of his Major League career with the Cincinnati Reds. The Marlins selected the former University of Alabama pitcher as they assembled the roster that would take the field for the first time in 1993.

The change of organizations provided Hammond with the biggest opportunity of his career to that point. He immediately became a fixture in the Florida rotation, making 32 starts in 1993 and finishing 15-12. His 15 victories led the inaugural Marlins and established the highest single-season win total of his Major League career.

Hammond also threw three shutouts during that first Marlins season, giving the expansion club a durable left-handed presence in its rotation. His performance established him as one of the most successful pitchers on Florida's original roster.

Before joining the Marlins, Hammond had been selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft following his collegiate career at the University of Alabama. He made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1990 and pitched for Cincinnati through 1992.

Hammond's career later produced a remarkable comeback story. After three seasons away from Major League Baseball, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as an elite relief pitcher. Hammond went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs across 76 innings.

He remained in the Major Leagues through 2006 and ultimately appeared in parts of 14 seasons. Combining Leaf's premium early-1990s presentation with Hammond's breakthrough year and the Marlins' inaugural season makes this autographed #475 a particularly appealing piece of early Florida franchise history.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Leaf
• Set: Leaf
• Card Number: #475
• Premium early-1990s Leaf issue
• Features Hammond with the Florida Marlins
• Issued during the Marlins' inaugural Major League 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
• Selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft
• Made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1990
• Returned to the Majors with Atlanta in 2002
• Went 7-2 with 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 early Marlins issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins inaugural-season memorabilia, 1993 Leaf baseball cards, expansion-era baseball, or comprehensive autographed player collections.