Chris Hammond Autographed 1994 Upper Deck #209 Florida Marlins Card

The 1994 Upper Deck #209 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during the young franchise's second Major League season. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card combines Upper Deck's photography-driven approach with one of the key pitchers from Florida's original roster.

By 1994, Upper Deck had firmly established itself as one of the hobby's premier baseball card manufacturers. The company continued to emphasize the sharp photography and polished production that had distinguished Upper Deck since its landmark 1989 debut. The 1994 Upper Deck set is especially remembered for its photo-heavy design, giving the imagery considerably more prominence than traditional border-oriented cards.

That presentation makes #209 particularly well suited for an autograph. Rather than relying on elaborate graphics, Upper Deck allowed the baseball photography to carry much of the card's visual appeal, creating a clean period piece from the height of the 1990s card boom.

Hammond was already an important part of Florida Marlins history when this card was produced. The Marlins selected him from Cincinnati in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, bringing an experienced left-hander into the organization as Florida assembled its first Major League roster.

During the Marlins' inaugural 1993 season, Hammond emerged as one of the club's most dependable starters. He took the ball for 32 starts, finished 15-12, and led Florida with 15 victories. The win total was also the highest of Hammond's Major League career.

Hammond's path to Florida began with the Cincinnati Reds, who selected him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. After progressing through Cincinnati's farm system, he made his Major League debut on July 16, 1990, reaching the Majors during the Reds' World Series championship season.

One of the most remarkable chapters of Hammond's career came much later. After being out of the Major Leagues from 1999 through 2001, he returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and reinvented himself as a highly effective relief pitcher.

Hammond's comeback season produced an extraordinary 0.95 ERA, a 7-2 record, and 63 appearances. He surrendered just seven earned runs in 76 innings, extending a career that eventually continued through the 2006 season.

Over parts of 14 Major League seasons, Hammond pitched for the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres. His unusual career arcfrom original Marlins rotation leader to dominant comeback relieveradds an interesting historical dimension to this signed 1994 Upper Deck issue.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1994
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Card Number: #209
• Classic 1994 Upper Deck baseball issue
• Photography-driven Upper Deck presentation
• Issued during the early years of Upper Deck's rise as a major baseball card manufacturer
• Strong period example of 1990s Upper Deck baseball
• Attractive photographic format for Hammond's autograph
• Early Florida Marlins collectible
• Issued during the franchise's second Major League season
• Hammond was selected in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Member of Florida's inaugural 1993 roster
• Made 32 starts for the Marlins in 1993
• Finished Florida's inaugural season 15-12
• Led the first Marlins team with 15 victories
• 15 wins established Hammond's Major League career high
• Cincinnati Reds sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut on July 16, 1990
• Reached the Majors during Cincinnati's 1990 World Series championship season
• Returned to the Major Leagues with Atlanta at age 36 in 2002
• Finished his comeback season 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA
• Appeared in 63 games and allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings in 2002
• 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 strong signed Upper Deck issue for collectors of Chris Hammond, Florida Marlins memorabilia, original Marlins players, 1994 Upper Deck baseball, 1990s cards, or comprehensive autographed player collections.