October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Rookie Derek Jeter was the New York Yankees starting shortstop on Opening Day, 1996, and by the seasons end the 22 year old had batted .314 with 10 homers, 78 RBI, taking home the Rookie of the Year Award. More importantly, Jeter solidified a veteran Yankee team ending the season with the Yankees first World Series victory since 1978. The original owner obtained Jeter’s game used bat from a source in the Yankees organization in the fall of 1996 and has been in his collection ever since. The Louisville Slugger P72 shows outstanding use with a slightly cracked upper handle with many deep stitch impressions and ball marks. Mota stick coats the handle. Blue ink transfers can be seen and baseline paint from the batters box is visible on the top of the barrel. Cleat impressions are present on all sides of the barrel and the impression from a batting donut marks the bat. PSA/DNA sticker number 1B05715 is affixed to the barrel end. As if a Derek Jeter rookie bat isn’t good enough, the surefire first ballot Hall of Famer has added his signature in silver ink on the barrel between the “Powerized” brand and his stamped name, also known as the "sweet spot". Steiner Sports has authenticated the signature and added their sticker number 138556 to the barrel. A truly great piece of Yankee history which PSA/DNA has graded a perfect GU 10. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA, cert number 1B05715, and affidavit from the original owner attesting to its provenance.