To add to the pressure of being the most highly-touted rookie since Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter faced the daunting task of breaking into a Yankee club that fielded an all-star at every position. As he would throughout his 20-year career, Jeter rose to the occasion and surpassed expectations. His 1996 rookie year saw him batting .314 and making highlight-reel worthy plays virtually every game he played. He proved to be the perfect addition to the Championship-bound Yankees and that 1996 club is considered one of the most beloved teams in the storied history of the Yankees. At the end of the season Jeter was unanimously chosen as the AL's Rookie of the Year.

Offered is one of Jeter's 1995-97 rookie-era P72 model bats. This bat displays outstanding use and is un-cracked. There are many ball marks with stitch impression on all sides of the barrel. There are blue ink transfers, white leather ball scuffs and cleat imprints on the barrel as well. The handle has a coating of Mota Stick on the upper handle. This comes with comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B13731) for the game use and has been graded a perfect GU 10. Additionally, there is a letter of provenance from Scott Padell, the son of former 1940's Yankees' bat boy Bert Padell. According to the letter, Bert Padell kept in contact with former and current players, club house manangers and staff throughout his lifetime. Jeter gifted this bat to Padell following a Yankees home game after Bert had met with clubhouse staff and remained in his personal collection.

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