Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/19/2014
Now finishing up the 20th summer of his Hall of Fame-bound career, Derek Jeter has been the backbone of the latest of the team's many dynasties. Although he was the Yankees most highly touted rookie since Mickey Mantle, Jeter faced a situation no rookie wants to find himself in - the Yanks were virtually an AL All-Star team overloaded with established stars - Paul O'Neill, Andy Pettitte, David Cone, Wade Boggs, Cecil Fielder to name but a few. But showing the skill and promise he was advertised as possessing, the 21 year-old rookie quickly established his place on what has been called "The Greatest Team in Major League history". Batting .314 and dazzling fans and players alike with his acrobatic defense, Jeter helped the team surge to victory in the 1996 World Series and was the obvious choice for the AL's Rookie of the Year Award. It was just a small taste of the power and leadership Jeter would bring to the team, pushing them into what shaped up to be the next great Yankee dynasty.
Mirroring the exacting consistency of his play on the field, Jeter used the same exact model bat throughout his 20 year career. When he discovered that the Louisville Slugger P72 had all the qualities he wanted in a bat, Jeter became that model's biggest advocate - and who can argue with him - over 3,000 hits, 13 All-Star teams, A World Series MVP, and, with the assistance of this very bat - the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year Award. This ash Louisville Slugger P72 bat matches the specifications Jeter requested during his rookie campaign: 33.5" in length, weighing 32.8 ounces and topped off in his trademark black finish. The label matches the ones used by Louisville Slugger during the 1995-1996 seasons and can be further pinned down to Jeter's Rookie of the Year season by the solid provenance that accompanies this bat: a signed affidavit from the man who obtained it through a Yankee employee.
As you would expect to see on a bat from the '96 Rookie of the Year, his P72 shows outstanding use. That it was a favorite of the rookie can be seen in the generous amount of ball marks and stitch impressions plus blue ink transfers from contact. Jeter reluctantly retired the bat only after it developed a slight crack in the upper handle area. A further remnant of its game use is the evidence of batter's baseline paint found on the top barrel. Cleat marks are visible as is the impression left from his weighted batting donut. As is his custom, Jeter has coated the handle with Mota Stick for better grip. Steiner hologram number 138556 is affixed to the front of the barrel and PSA/DNA sticker number 1B05715 is on the knob end. As if a documented game used rookie year bat isn't enough, Jeter has signed the bat's barrel between the Louisville Slugger brand and his stamped name in silver ink. This is one of the penultimate Derek Jeter game used bats to have ever come on the market and a terrific piece from the foundation of the New York Yankees' Millennial dynasty. As we already stated above, this historical bat has a solid provenance with its signed affidavit from the man who obtained it through a Yankee employee, additionally stating that he had it signed by the future Hall of Famer at Steiner Sports. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA who has thoroughly examined this bat and has given it their highest grade of GU10.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.