Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Stadium Club #209 Cincinnati Reds Card

The 1993 Stadium Club #209 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds, creating an interesting transitional issue from the season in which Hammond became a full-time starter for the expansion Florida Marlins. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card combines Stadium Club's premium photography with imagery from the organization that originally drafted and developed him.

By 1993, Topps Stadium Club had become one of the hobby's established premium brands. Stadium Club emphasized full-bleed photography, glossy card stock and minimal front design, allowing the photography to take center stage. Hammond's #209 is a strong example of the photo-driven approach that distinguished Stadium Club from traditional bordered baseball cards.

The Cincinnati uniform is particularly noteworthy on this 1993 issue. Hammond had actually left the Reds organization following the 1992 season when the newly formed Florida Marlins selected him in the MLB Expansion Draft. As a result, #209 serves as a transitional card from the year his Major League career took an important step forward.

Hammond's professional career began when Cincinnati selected him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He worked his way through the Reds' minor league system before making his Major League debut in 1990, eventually appearing for Cincinnati in parts of three seasons.

The expansion draft provided Hammond with the opportunity to become a regular Major League starter. During the Florida Marlins' inaugural 1993 season, he made 32 starts and went 15-12, leading the new franchise in victories. His 15 wins represented the highest single-season total of his Major League career.

Hammond also recorded three shutouts during that breakthrough campaign, becoming an important part of the original Florida pitching staff. His mixture of 1993 Cincinnati and Florida cards makes the season particularly interesting for collectors attempting to document his career chronologically.

His career later produced an extraordinary comeback. After spending the 1999 through 2001 seasons out of the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002. Working out of the bullpen, he delivered an exceptional season, finishing 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances and allowing only seven earned runs across 76 innings.

Hammond continued pitching through 2006 and ultimately appeared in parts of 14 Major League seasons. With its premium Stadium Club presentation and Cincinnati imagery from the year of his move to Florida, this autographed #209 is an appealing transitional piece from his career.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team Pictured: Cincinnati Reds
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Topps
• Set: Stadium Club
• Card Number: #209
• Premium Topps Stadium Club issue
• Features full-bleed photography and glossy presentation
• Features Hammond with the Cincinnati Reds
• Transitional issue from his 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 during Florida's inaugural season
• Finished 15-12 in 1993
• Led the inaugural Marlins in victories
• Recorded three shutouts
• Returned to the Major Leagues 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 premium issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia, original Florida Marlins players, 1993 Stadium Club baseball cards, or comprehensive autographed player collections.