Chris Hammond Autographed 1995 Leaf #378 Florida Marlins Card

The 1995 Leaf #378 Chris Hammond features the veteran left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during his third season with the franchise. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card pairs the polished mid-1990s Leaf presentation with one of the most productive starting pitchers from Florida's inaugural roster.

By 1995, Leaf had evolved considerably from the clean white-bordered design that helped make its 1990 revival so memorable. The brand had moved toward the increasingly sophisticated premium styling of the mid-1990s, emphasizing strong photography, glossy production and more elaborate design elements. Hammond's #378 provides an excellent example of that evolution.

Leaf occupied an interesting place within the Donruss family of products. While regular Donruss remained the company's traditional mainstream brand, Leaf was positioned as a more upscale offering, giving collectors another distinct version of many players. For a comprehensive Hammond collection, his 1995 Leaf #378 pairs naturally with his 1995 Donruss #428 while offering a noticeably different visual presentation.

The card comes from an important stretch of Hammond's tenure with the Florida Marlins. Florida selected him from the Cincinnati organization in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, making the left-hander part of the group assembled before the franchise played its first Major League game.

Hammond immediately became one of the expansion club's leading starters. During the inaugural 1993 season, he made 32 starts 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 the Marlins through 1997, spending five seasons with the organization during its formative period. His longevity with Florida gave him a significant place among the pitchers who helped establish the franchise during its first years in the National League.

His professional career had begun after the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. Hammond worked through Cincinnati's farm system before making his Major League debut on July 16, 1990.

Years after his success as a starter, Hammond authored one of the most impressive comeback seasons of the era. Following three years outside the Major Leagues, he returned with the Atlanta Braves at age 36 in 2002 and reinvented himself as a relief pitcher.

Hammond appeared in 63 games for Atlanta, went 7-2 and posted an extraordinary 0.95 ERA. He allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings, a performance that revived his career and helped him remain in the Major Leagues through 2006.

Over parts of 14 Major League seasons, Hammond pitched for the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres. This autographed 1995 Leaf #378 captures him during the starting-pitcher portion of a career that ultimately became notable for both durability and reinvention.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1995
• Manufacturer: Leaf/Donruss
• Brand: Leaf
• Card Number: #378
• Premium 1995 Leaf baseball issue
• Glossy mid-1990s presentation
• Photography-driven design
• Leaf served as an upscale alternative within the Donruss family of baseball products
• Excellent companion to Hammond's 1995 Donruss #428
• Represents the evolution of Leaf from its early-1990s styling into a more elaborate premium product
• Attractive format for Hammond's genuine autograph
• 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 inaugural 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
• Selected by Cincinnati in the sixth round of 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
• Posted an exceptional 7-2 record and 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances
• 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.

Combining Leaf's premium mid-1990s styling, Hammond's importance to the earliest Florida Marlins pitching staffs and his genuine autograph, this #378 is an attractive signed issue for Leaf collectors, Marlins fans and those assembling a comprehensive Chris Hammond player run.