Chris Hammond Autographed 1995 Fleer Ultra Gold Medallion #162 Florida Marlins Card

The 1995 Fleer Ultra Gold Medallion #162 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins on the premium parallel version of his regular 1995 Ultra card. Personally autographed by Hammond, the Gold Medallion treatment makes this a more specialized issue for collectors pursuing his deeper 1990s card run.

Gold Medallion was Ultra's signature parallel concept, providing collectors with an upgraded version of cards from the regular set. Hammond's #162 shares its core design and photography with the standard 1995 Fleer Ultra #162, but the Gold Medallion treatment distinguishes it as a separate collectible.

The parallel is identified by its gold-colored foil accents, giving the card a noticeably different appearance from the regular Ultra issue. During an era when parallels were becoming an increasingly important part of the hobby, Gold Medallion gave Fleer Ultra collectors another level to pursue beyond completion of the base set.

For a Hammond collector, the regular and Gold Medallion versions of #162 form a natural base-and-parallel pairing. The addition of Hammond's genuine hand-signed autograph makes the Gold Medallion version particularly attractive for a collection built around both obscure variations and signed cards.

Ultra itself had debuted in 1991 as Fleer's upscale baseball brand, emphasizing glossy card stock and vivid photography. By 1995, it was firmly established as one of Fleer's premium offerings, and parallels such as Gold Medallion reflected the hobby's rapid movement toward multiple versions of individual player cards.

Hammond was in his third season with the Florida Marlins when this card was issued. He had joined the organization through the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, when Florida selected him from Cincinnati while constructing the roster for its first Major League season.

The move proved immediately productive. Hammond made 32 starts during the inaugural 1993 Marlins season, finishing 15-12 and leading Florida with 15 victories. Those 15 wins established the highest single-season total of his Major League career.

Hammond remained with the Marlins through 1997, spending five seasons with the franchise during its formative years. His cards from this period document an original Marlin who developed into one of the most established pitchers on the young club.

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 turn.

After three seasons outside the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and became a dominant relief pitcher. He went 7-2 with a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, allowing only seven earned runs over 76 innings.

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

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1995
• Manufacturer: Fleer
• Brand: Ultra
• Parallel: Gold Medallion
• Card Number: #162
• Gold Medallion parallel of the regular 1995 Fleer Ultra #162
• Features distinctive gold-colored foil treatment
• Visually different from Hammond's standard Ultra issue
• Premium variation from Fleer's Ultra brand
• Excellent example of the expanding parallel-card trend of the 1990s
• Natural companion to Hammond's regular 1995 Ultra #162
• Important variation for a comprehensive Chris Hammond player run
• Glossy, photography-focused Ultra presentation
• Attractive format for Hammond's genuine autograph
• Early Florida Marlins collectible
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• One of the players assembled for the original Marlins roster
• Made 32 starts during Florida's inaugural 1993 season
• Finished 15-12 in 1993
• Led the inaugural Florida 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 an extraordinary 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances
• Allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings during his comeback
• 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.

For collectors who already own Hammond's standard Ultra card, the 1995 Gold Medallion #162 adds the parallel needed to take the run another step deeper, combining a distinctive premium treatment with his genuine autograph and his place in the formative history of the Florida Marlins.