Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 SP #140 Florida Marlins Card

The 1993 SP #140 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during the franchise's inaugural Major League season. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card combines an important year in Marlins history with one of the most influential premium baseball card releases of the 1990s.

Upper Deck introduced SP in 1993 as a high-end baseball product, taking the premium-card concept to another level with sophisticated designs and upscale production. The inaugural SP set became especially memorable for its use of foil surfaces and premium presentation, characteristics that made the cards immediately distinctive from standard baseball releases of the era.

The 1993 SP set has remained an important hobby release, best known for its celebrated rookie cards and condition-sensitive foil design. Hammond's #140 provides collectors with a first-year SP card of one of the original Florida Marlins, adding both brand and franchise significance to the autographed issue.

Hammond joined Florida after the Marlins selected him from the Cincinnati Reds organization in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft. The move gave him his first opportunity to establish himself as a full-time Major League starter.

He took full advantage during the Marlins' inaugural 1993 season. Hammond made 32 starts and finished 15-12, leading Florida in victories and setting a career high in wins. He also recorded three shutouts, becoming one of the most productive pitchers on the expansion club's original staff.

Hammond had originally entered professional baseball as the Cincinnati Reds' sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft after pitching at the University of Alabama. He reached the Major Leagues with Cincinnati in 1990 and remained with the organization through 1992 before the expansion draft sent his career in a new direction.

Nearly a decade after his breakthrough with Florida, Hammond authored an extraordinary comeback. Following three seasons away from Major League Baseball, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as a relief specialist. Hammond went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

Hammond eventually pitched through 2006 and appeared in parts of 14 Major League seasons. The combination of an inaugural-year SP release, Florida's inaugural season and Hammond's career-best 15 victories makes this #140 an especially attractive autographed card from his career.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Brand: SP
• Card Number: #140
• From the inaugural SP baseball release
• Premium foil-based design
• Condition-sensitive early-1990s premium 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
• 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
• 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 premium issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins inaugural-season memorabilia, 1993 SP baseball cards, first-year SP issues, expansion-era baseball, or comprehensive autographed player collections.