Chris Hammond Autographed 1995 Upper Deck #354 Florida Marlins Card

The 1995 Upper Deck #354 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins during his third season with the young franchise. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card combines Upper Deck's photography-centered approach with an original member of Florida's pitching staff and one of the club's most successful early starters.

Since its landmark debut in 1989, Upper Deck had built its reputation around high-quality photography, premium card stock and polished production values. The 1995 release continued that tradition, using strong player imagery and modern design elements to give collectors a more photographic presentation than many traditional baseball card sets.

That approach makes Upper Deck particularly well suited to autographs. Hammond's genuine signature adds another focal point to a card designed to showcase the player through large, detailed photography rather than overwhelming the image with heavy borders or traditional framing.

The #354 also continues an interesting sequence of Hammond Upper Deck cards. His 1993 Upper Deck #216 still featured him with Cincinnati, while #661 from the same set reflected his move to the Florida Marlins. His 1994 and 1995 Upper Deck cards then document Hammond as an established member of Florida's rotation.

Hammond's connection to the Marlins began before the franchise played its first game. Florida selected him from Cincinnati in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, making him one of the original players chosen to build the organization's inaugural Major League roster.

He quickly became one of the new club's most productive starters. During the 1993 inaugural season, Hammond made 32 starts, finished 15-12 and led the Marlins with 15 victories. The 15 wins established the highest single-season total of his Major League career.

Hammond remained with Florida through 1997, spending five seasons with the organization. His run with the Marlins provides collectors with an extensive group of cards from the franchise's formative years across virtually every major manufacturer and many of the premium brands that emerged during the 1990s.

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. His career eventually stretched far beyond his years as a Cincinnati and Florida starter.

After spending three seasons outside the Major Leagues, Hammond returned at age 36 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and reinvented himself as a relief pitcher. The comeback produced one of the finest seasons of his career.

Hammond appeared in 63 games, went 7-2 and recorded an extraordinary 0.95 ERA. He allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings, a remarkable performance that revitalized his career and kept him 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. His career encompassed both the traditional starter role of his early years and a highly successful late-career transition to the bullpen.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1995
• Manufacturer: Upper Deck
• Set: Upper Deck Baseball
• Card Number: #354
• Classic 1995 Upper Deck baseball issue
• Photography-centered design
• Premium production associated with the Upper Deck brand
• Upper Deck revolutionized baseball card presentation with its 1989 debut
• Strong player imagery makes the card an attractive autograph piece
• Continues Hammond's Upper Deck run from his Cincinnati-to-Florida transition
• Excellent addition to a comprehensive Chris Hammond or Upper Deck collection
• 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 a remarkable 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances
• Allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings during his 2002 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.

With Upper Deck's trademark emphasis on baseball photography, Hammond's connection to the original Florida Marlins and his genuine autograph, this #354 is a strong mainstream addition to an in-depth Chris Hammond collection and an attractive signed card from the heart of the 1990s hobby era.