2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
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 has a crack in the handle and shows outstanding use. 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 heavy coating of Mota Stick and also visible on the bat is an impression of a weighted donut. Jeter has signed his name in bold silver marker on the barrel, adding to this spectacular early career Jeter bat. This comes with comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B12992) for the game use and has been graded a near perfect GU 9.5. There is also an additional LOA from JSA (Z46674) for the signature.