New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter became accustomed to winning at a young age. As an eight-year-old in the Oakwood Little League in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jeter led his 1982 Little League team to an undefeated season and the Kalamazoo “Minor League” championship. The pre-teen dynamo earned rave reviews from his coach and teammates, foreshadowing the eventual leadership role Jeter would thrive in as a part of the New York Yankees dynasty.

The centerpiece of this lot is a baseball signed by Jeter and several of his teammates, that the Oakwood Little Leaguers presented to their coach, Don Brown, in recognition of their undefeated season. The young Jeter has deliberately and clearly printed his name in blue pen on the panel to the east of the Wilson Prostar wordmark. The signature of a young baseball player named “Steve Lagerberg” is the only other signature on Jeter’s panel. David Marshall has signed his name on the sweet spot of this ball in black pen. This baseball is possibly one of the earliest ever baseballs signed by Jeter, and as such the value of this item cannot be stated. It is a true piece of baseball history that rivals any of Jeter’s memorabilia from his professional career. This baseball comes with a LOA from JSA.

Also included in this lot is a team photograph of Jeter’s squad from the 1982 season. Jeter is pictured in the second row, third from the left, in his all-green uniform. The final two items in this lot are trophies from the 1982 Oakwood Little League season. The first trophy, a gold glove atop a 3.5 x 3.5-inch pedestal, has a plaque affixed to the base that reads “Don Brown, Manager / Undefeated / Oakwood Little League / 1982”. The second trophy measures just over 6-inches high and consists of a baseball player statuette positioned over a 3.25 x 3.25-inch base. A plaque on the base reads “Oakwood Little League / 1982 / Minor League ‘Champs’”.

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