Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Pinnacle #449 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1993 Pinnacle #449 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds, making it an interesting transitional card issued during the season Hammond became a key member of the expansion Florida Marlins. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card represents the organization that originally drafted and developed him while dating from his breakthrough year in Florida.

Introduced just one year earlier, Pinnacle was positioned as a premium brand within the Score family. The 1993 release is remembered for its distinctive black-bordered design, glossy finish and strong photography, giving cards such as Hammond's #449 a noticeably different appearance from many traditional early-1990s issues. The dark borders also provide an attractive frame for an on-card autograph.

Hammond's Cincinnati appearance is particularly interesting because his time with the Reds had ended following the 1992 season. The newly formed Florida Marlins selected Hammond in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, but early-production 1993 sets sometimes continued to feature players with their previous clubs. This Pinnacle issue captures that transition in Hammond's career.

The Reds had originally selected Hammond in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft after his collegiate career at the University of Alabama. He developed through Cincinnati's farm system before making his Major League debut in 1990, eventually pitching for the Reds through 1992.

Florida gave Hammond the opportunity to establish himself as a full-time Major League starter. During the Marlins' inaugural 1993 season, he made 32 starts and finished 15-12, leading the expansion franchise in victories. He also recorded three shutouts during the campaign.

Hammond's 15 victories represented his career high and made him an important part of the original Marlins pitching staff. That makes his 1993 cards especially interesting for player collectors, with some issues documenting his new Florida affiliation while others, including this Pinnacle #449, preserve his previous Cincinnati identity.

His career later included one of baseball's more impressive pitching comebacks. After three seasons away from the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 relief appearances, allowing only seven earned runs in 76 innings.

Hammond ultimately pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons through 2006. The combination of Pinnacle's premium black-bordered design, Cincinnati imagery and Hammond's 1993 transition to the expansion Marlins gives this signed card considerable appeal within a comprehensive player collection.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team Pictured: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Pinnacle/Score
• Set: Pinnacle
• Card Number: #449
• Premium black-bordered Pinnacle design
• Features Hammond with the Cincinnati Reds
• Transitional issue from Hammond's move from Cincinnati to Florida
• Selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut with Cincinnati in 1990
• Selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Member of the original 1993 Florida Marlins
• Made 32 starts in 1993
• Finished 15-12
• Led the inaugural Marlins in victories
• Recorded three shutouts during the 1993 season
• Returned to the Majors with Atlanta in 2002
• 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 transitional issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, original Florida Marlins players, 1993 Pinnacle baseball cards, premium 1990s issues, or comprehensive autographed player collections.