Chris Hammond Autographed 1995 Collector's Choice Silver Signature #309 Florida Marlins Card

The 1995 Collector's Choice Silver Signature #309 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins on the Silver Signature parallel of his regular Collector's Choice card. Personally autographed by Hammond, this issue has an especially interesting signature-on-signature appearance, combining the card's printed silver facsimile signature treatment with Hammond's genuine hand-signed autograph.

Upper Deck created Collector's Choice as a more affordable alternative to its premium flagship products while retaining the company's emphasis on strong baseball photography. The brand debuted in 1994 and returned in 1995 with another large checklist and several collectible variations.

The Silver Signature parallel gave collectors an upgraded version of cards from the regular 1995 Collector's Choice set. Rather than representing an actual autograph, the Silver Signature designation refers to the facsimile player signature printed on the card in silver. Hammond's genuine autograph therefore makes this version particularly appealingthe authentic hand signature is added to a card already designed around a signature motif.

For a comprehensive Hammond collection, this #309 is a natural companion to the standard 1995 Collector's Choice #309. Collecting the base and Silver Signature versions together illustrates the expanding role that parallels were playing in the sports card hobby during the mid-1990s.

Hammond was entering his third season with the Florida Marlins when this card was issued. Florida had selected him from Cincinnati in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, making the veteran left-hander part of the roster assembled before the franchise played its first Major League game.

He immediately became one of the inaugural club's most productive starting pitchers. Hammond made 32 starts in 1993 and finished 15-12, establishing his Major League career high in victories and leading the first Florida Marlins team with 15 wins.

Hammond remained with Florida through 1997, giving him five seasons with the organization during its formative years. His Marlins tenure became one of the defining portions of a career that eventually lasted parts of 14 Major League seasons.

Originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, Hammond made his Major League debut on July 16, 1990. More than a decade later, his career took an extraordinary second turn.

After spending the 1999 through 2001 seasons outside the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36. Working as a reliever, he went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

That dominant comeback extended Hammond's career through 2006. He ultimately pitched for the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres during parts of 14 Major League seasons.

With its distinctive Silver Signature treatment, genuine Hammond autograph and early Florida Marlins connection, this #309 offers more visual and hobby interest than the standard Collector's Choice version and is an excellent piece for a deep player collection.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1995
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Brand: Collector's Choice
• Parallel: Silver Signature
• Card Number: #309
• Silver Signature parallel of the regular 1995 Collector's Choice #309
• Features a printed silver facsimile player signature
• Facsimile signature is part of the card's original design
• Hammond's genuine hand-signed autograph is separate from the printed Silver Signature
• Distinctive signature-on-signature presentation
• More specialized variation than the standard Collector's Choice #309
• Excellent companion to Hammond's regular 1995 Collector's Choice card
• Appealing example of the expanding 1990s parallel-card hobby
• Early Florida Marlins collectible
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• Member of the inaugural 1993 Florida Marlins
• Made 32 starts during Florida's first season
• Finished 15-12 in 1993
• Led the inaugural Marlins with 15 victories
• 15 wins established Hammond's Major League career high
• Spent five seasons with Florida from 1993 through 1997
• Cincinnati Reds sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut on July 16, 1990
• Returned to the Major Leagues with Atlanta at age 36 in 2002
• Went 7-2 with a 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 by Chris Hammond
• 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.

The combination of the Silver Signature parallel, Hammond's genuine hand autograph and his connection to the inaugural Florida Marlins makes this #309 a particularly interesting variation for collectors pursuing the deeper and more obscure portions of a Chris Hammond autographed card run.