Chris Hammond Autographed 1993 Upper Deck #661 Florida Marlins Card

The 1993 Upper Deck #661 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 later-numbered Upper Deck issue is especially appealing because it updates him from the Cincinnati Reds to Florida and documents the season in which he became the leading winner on the first Marlins pitching staff.

The 1993 Upper Deck set is remembered for its premium production and outstanding baseball photography. Upper Deck emphasized full-bleed color images and minimal front graphics, giving its cards a clean, photography-driven appearance. Hammond also appears earlier in the set on #216 with the Cincinnati Reds, making #661 an excellent companion card that reflects his new Florida affiliation.

Hammond joined the Marlins when Florida selected him in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft. The newly formed franchise needed experienced Major League pitching for its first season, and Hammond quickly became one of the most productive members of the inaugural rotation.

The move produced the best season of Hammond's career as a starting pitcher. In 1993, he made 32 starts and finished 15-12, establishing a career high in victories. His 15 wins led the inaugural Florida Marlins, making this card directly connected to one of the defining seasons of his career.

Before joining Florida, Hammond had spent his entire professional career in the Cincinnati organization. The Reds selected the University of Alabama left-hander in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft, and he advanced through their minor league system before reaching the Majors.

Hammond made his Major League debut for Cincinnati on July 16, 1990. He appeared in seven starts and pitched 39 innings as a rookie, reaching the Majors during the Reds' wire-to-wire 1990 season that ultimately concluded with a World Series championship.

More than a decade later, Hammond authored an extraordinary second chapter to his career. After being out of the Major Leagues from 1999 through 2001, he returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and reinvented himself as a dominant relief pitcher.

Hammond went 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances for Atlanta, allowing just seven earned runs over 76 innings. The remarkable comeback extended his career for several more seasons and established an entirely new identity for a pitcher who had once been a workhorse starter with Florida.

Hammond ultimately pitched parts of 14 Major League seasons with the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres. Combining an inaugural-season Marlins appearance, Hammond's career-high 15-win campaign and Upper Deck's premium photography, this autographed #661 is one of the more significant Florida cards from his playing career.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1993
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Set: Upper Deck
• Card Number: #661
• Inaugural-season Florida Marlins issue
• Classic 1993 Upper Deck photography-driven design
• Updates Hammond to his new Florida Marlins affiliation
• Hammond also appears as a Cincinnati Red on 1993 Upper Deck #216
• Excellent companion to the earlier Reds card documenting his team change
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Became a key member of the first Marlins starting rotation
• Made 32 starts during the 1993 season
• Finished 15-12 for Florida in 1993
• Led the inaugural Marlins with 15 victories
• 15 wins established Hammond's Major League career high
• Originally selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut with Cincinnati on July 16, 1990
• Returned to the Majors with Atlanta in 2002 at age 36
• Posted a remarkable 7-2 record and 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances in 2002
• Allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings during his comeback season
• Pitched 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.

A particularly appealing signed inaugural-season card for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins memorabilia, 1993 Upper Deck baseball cards, expansion-era baseball, inaugural Marlins issues, or comprehensive autographed player collections.