Chris Hammond Autographed 1996 Stadium Club #314 Florida Marlins Card

The 1996 Stadium Club #314 Chris Hammond features the left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins in Topps' photography-driven premium brand. Personally autographed by Hammond, the card combines Stadium Club's emphasis on sharp baseball imagery with a player who had been part of the Marlins organization since its formation.

First introduced in 1991, Stadium Club was created as Topps' upscale alternative to its traditional flagship product. By 1996, the brand remained centered on high-quality photography and a polished presentation, giving collectors a noticeably different look from standard Topps cards of the period.

The 1996 Stadium Club baseball set contained 450 cards issued in two series, with cards #1-225 appearing in Series One and #226-450 in Series Two. Hammond's #314 therefore appeared in Series Two.

The set also reflected the rapidly expanding parallel market of the mid-1990s. In addition to the regular pack-issued cards, Topps produced a Silver version through its Cereal Box factory set and an extremely limited Members Only parallel, with only 750 Members Only sets produced. The card offered here is the regular Stadium Club #314 unless otherwise designated.

For a Hammond player collection, the 1996 Stadium Club issue continues a particularly attractive run within the brand. His Stadium Club appearances stretch back through his Cincinnati and early Florida years, documenting his transition from the Reds to one of the original members of the expansion Marlins.

Florida selected Hammond from Cincinnati in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, bringing the left-hander into the organization before the Marlins played their first Major League game.

Hammond immediately became an important part of the new club's rotation. During Florida's inaugural 1993 season, he made 32 starts and worked 191 innings, establishing himself as one of the workhorses of the young pitching staff.

He followed with one of his strongest seasons in 1995, going 9-6 with a 3.80 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 161 innings. By the time this 1996 Stadium Club card was issued, Hammond was one of the more established pitchers remaining from Florida's original expansion roster.

His role changed during 1996, when he appeared in a career-high 38 games while making nine starts and pitching 81 innings. The movement between starting and relief work foreshadowed the second phase of his Major League career.

After spending three seasons outside the Majors, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36 and produced one of baseball's most remarkable comeback seasons. Used exclusively from the bullpen, he finished 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances, surrendering only seven earned runs in 76 innings.

The comeback extended Hammond's career through 2006. He ultimately pitched parts of 14 Major League seasons, successfully evolving from a longtime starter into an effective veteran reliever.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1996
• Manufacturer: Topps
• Brand: Stadium Club
• Card Number: #314
• Regular base-set version
• Part of the 450-card 1996 Stadium Club set
• Issued as part of Series Two
• Stadium Club was Topps' premium, photography-driven baseball brand
• Distinctive alternative to Hammond's regular 1996 Topps-era cards
• 1996 Stadium Club also featured Silver and Members Only parallel versions
• Excellent addition to a comprehensive Chris Hammond Stadium Club run
• Represents Hammond during his fourth season with Florida
• Selected by Florida in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft
• One of the original players assembled for the Marlins franchise
• Made 32 starts and pitched 191 innings during Florida's inaugural 1993 season
• Went 9-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 1995
• Recorded 126 strikeouts in 161 innings in 1995
• Appeared in a career-high 38 games in 1996
• Made nine starts and pitched 81 innings during the 1996 season
• Cincinnati Reds sixth-round selection in the 1986 MLB Draft
• Former University of Alabama pitcher
• Made his Major League debut with Cincinnati in 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 remarkable 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.

With Stadium Club's premium photography, a Series Two appearance from Hammond's Florida Marlins tenure and his genuine autograph, this #314 is an attractive addition for collectors building Hammond's extensive player run, early Marlins collections or signed 1990s Stadium Club sets.