The New York Yankees fortunes changed immediately after Derek Jeter joined the Yankees full-time in 1996. They won the World Series that season, were upset in the ALCS a year later, then foisted their might against all of baseball a year later, winning a combined 125 games, most in MLB history. Jeter did his share that season hitting .324, smashed 19 home runs, a third-place finish in the A.L. MVP balloting and also hit .353 in the World Series. He also fielded at the second highest percentage of his career that season. Offered is a 1998 Derek Jeter Game Used Rawlings black leather glove. This glove was obtained by a Craig Kessler, who worked in the same building Jeter lived in during that season, and became friends with “The Captain” who invited Mr. Kessler to many events such as Jeter’s Turn 2 charity functions, birthday and Christmas parties. Mr. Kessler has provided an email giving his background with Jeter indicating this glove was “in his collection since 1998 and next to his signed rookie jersey, was his second favorite piece.” The black Horween leather (highest grade material) model Pro-5XXBCB 11.5 inch glove exhibits evidence of heavy use with most of the gold foil stamping worn away. Manufactured in the fall of 1997 exclusively for Derek Jeter, the inner lining has an extra “doe skin” pad attached, and apportion of the heel was removed to create a more flexible pocket, performed by a senior glove designer at the factory. There are still remnants of pine tar and traces of infield dirt, and the outer thumb has “Derek Jeter” embroidered in gold thread. The outer portion of the glove has a silver sharpie “Derek Jeter” signature. This essentially is one of the best Derek Jeter items which have become available. While many game used bats and jerseys are made for each player, very few gloves are used by players and many players use gloves over many seasons. Coupled by the fact this glove was used by Jeter during the Yankees greatest season during his tenure, makes it even more appealing and desirable. We have been unable to locate a game photo of Jeter using the glove but based on the visible use and it's provenance, having been obtained from Mr. Kessler in 1998, we are assured the glove was used by Jeter during the 1998 season at least as a back up glove, and possibly during game action. Full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number 1G00021, for the glove, a note from the original owner Craig Kessler, and a handwritten LOA from noted game used glove exert Dennis Esken. A Steiner Sports hologram sticker is affixed to the glove, attesting to the signature. This description has been edited from the printed catalog.

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