Handling all the first-year expectations heaped upon him with the true professionalism that would be his trademark, Derek Jeter’s 1996 rookie campaign 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 would be considered as one of the greatest teams in MLB history. At the end of the season Jeter was unanimously chosen as the AL's Rookie of the Year. At some point during this rookie period, the future Yankees legend gifted one of his broken-handle bats to a proven pinstripe superstar, Willie Randolph. Jeter’s rookie-era Louisville Slugger P72 model bat shows excellent game use with a cracked handle that has been professionally repaired. The barrel has several prominent ball marks along with stitch impressions, bat rack paint streaks and cleat imprints. The Yankees legend has signed the barrel in bold silver marker, completing this rookie-era gamer. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA for the game use and has been graded a near-perfect GU 9.5 There is also a signed LOA from former Major Leaguer Willie Randolph stating this bat comes from his personal collection and a LOA from JSA for the signature.

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