Coming off his 1996 Rookie of the Year award and World Series Championship, Derek Jeter was riding high entering the 1997 season. When 1997 was done, Jeter led the American League with 748 plate-appearances and notched 190 hits at a .291 clip with 116 runs scored. Jeter ultimately finished his career as one of the greatest Yankees to put on the pinstripes, which in the company of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle, is quite an accomplishment. The Captain retired as the Yankees’ all-time leader in hits with 3,465 and is a sure bet to be elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2020 and possibly the second unanimous selection.

One of the overlooked aspects of Derek Jeter’s game was his defense. With has patented off-balance jump-throw off his back foot when going towards third base/left field, Jeter’s glove proved to be just as valuable an asset as his bat. This was most evident during one of his most iconic plays when he cut down Jeremy Giambi of the Oakland A’s trying to score in the 2001 ALDS. Jeter’s uncanny defensive instincts allowed him to cut-off an errant throw that pulled him towards the first base line and with a slick back-handed flip, got Giambi out at home preserving the Yankees’ lead. Jeter’s play has been forever dubbed “The Flip”.

Offered here is one of the defensive tools Jeter used in his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career. This Rawlings Pro-5XBCB glove was used by Jeter during the 1997 season and shows nice game use with the graphics being mostly worn away in the palm and various light dirt and scuff marks. The glove was constructed with black Horween leather, which is preferred by the Pro’s and is stamped with the “Heart of the Hide” bull. There is ample wear along the fingertips and on the back of the fingers commensurate with fielding tons of ground balls. The pocket is well worn, but the leather remains very pliable. The glove has been factory personalized with “Derek Jeter” embroidered in yellow on the outside of the thumb. Jeter has signed the outer third finger in silver ink which contrasts nicely with the glove’s black leather. A great piece of game used equipment from one of the greatest Yankees and it comes with full LOA from PSA/DNA (1G00020) for the game use and COA from Steiner Sports for his signature.

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