Chris Hammond Autographed 1996 Topps #374 Florida Marlins Card

The 1996 Topps #374 Chris Hammond features the veteran left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins in Topps' flagship baseball set. Personally autographed by Hammond, this card represents his fourth season with Florida and provides a classic mainstream counterpart to the many premium and specialty issues produced during the mid-1990s.

The 1996 Topps Baseball design has a clean, photography-centered appearance typical of the era, with full-color action imagery complemented by metallic foil accents. Compared with some of the increasingly elaborate products of 1996, flagship Topps retained a more traditional baseball-card identity.

That contrast makes Hammond's #374 particularly useful within a comprehensive player collection. His 1996 card run includes dramatically styled releases such as Metal Universe, E-Motion XL and Flair, while the Topps issue represents the hobby's longstanding flagship brand.

Hammond's history with the Florida Marlins dated to the formation of the franchise. Florida selected him from Cincinnati in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, making him one of the original players acquired before the Marlins began play in 1993.

He immediately became a significant part of the inaugural pitching staff. Hammond made 32 starts and pitched 191 innings in 1993, giving the expansion club an experienced left-handed starter during its first Major League season.

One of Hammond's strongest Florida seasons came in 1995, the season immediately preceding this card. He finished 9-6 with a 3.80 ERA, made 24 starts and struck out 126 batters over 161 innings. He also recorded three complete games and two shutouts.

Hammond's role changed substantially in 1996. Rather than working almost exclusively as a starter, he made a career-high 38 appearances with nine starts, pitching 81 innings for Florida. The transition between starting and relief assignments foreshadowed the role that would eventually revive his career.

Originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, Hammond reached the Major Leagues with Cincinnati in 1990. He eventually developed one of the more unusual career arcs among pitchers of his generation.

After spending three seasons outside the Major Leagues, Hammond returned with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 at age 36. Converted completely to relief, he delivered an extraordinary season, going 7-2 with a 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances while allowing only seven earned runs in 76 innings.

His comeback allowed Hammond to pitch through the 2006 season and complete a Major League career that included the Reds, Marlins, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Athletics and Padres. From expansion-team starter to dominant late-career reliever, Hammond's career gives his extensive card run an interesting story spanning nearly two decades.

Card Details:

• Player: Chris Hammond
• Team: Florida Marlins
• Year: 1996
• Manufacturer: Topps
• Set: Topps Baseball
• Card Number: #374
• Flagship 1996 Topps baseball issue
• Photography-centered mid-1990s Topps design
• Traditional flagship alternative to Hammond's premium 1996 releases
• Excellent addition to a comprehensive Chris Hammond Topps 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 in 1993
• Went 9-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 1995
• Recorded 126 strikeouts in 161 innings in 1995
• Threw three complete games and two shutouts in 1995
• Made a career-high 38 appearances during 1996
• Made nine starts and pitched 81 innings in 1996
• 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 in 2002
• Allowed only seven earned runs over 76 innings during his remarkable comeback
• Pitched for seven Major League organizations during his career
• 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 its classic Topps flagship pedigree, Florida Marlins imagery and genuine Chris Hammond autograph, this #374 is an excellent addition for collectors building Hammond's extensive player run, signed 1996 Topps sets or collections devoted to the original Florida Marlins.