A day before his virtually certain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the jersey worn by Derek Jeter when he made his major league debut in 1995 and the Yankees scouting report on him from April 1992 will both be on the auction block.
Goldin Auctions will offer both items in its first major catalog sale of 2020, which is set to open Monday.
Completed by scout Dick Groch, the scouting report is dated April 8, 1992 when Jeter was a high school player in Kalamazoo, MI. It reads, in part, “MLB Shortstop. Blue Chip. A Yankee. A Five tool player will be a ML Star +5!!” Groch credits Jeter with having an above average arm., quick release soft hands and a quick bat.”
Jeter somehow fell to the Yankees at the sixth pick in the 1992 draft and became one of the greatest players in team history.
The scouting report last sold for $102,000 in December 2017.
Originally worn by Bernie Williams in 1994, the grey road jersey was donned by Jeter for 15 games during his first callup with the club in 1995. It’s signed by Jeter and inscribed “Game Used 5-29-95 MLB Debut.” Goldin Auctions expects the jersey to also sell for a six-figure price, calling it “the holy grail of Jeter collectibles.”
Interestingly, the jersey has remnants of the #7 and black armband on the left sleeve worn by the club in remembrance of the passing of Mickey Mantle in August of 1995. According to the auction company, “the Yankees often recycled their jerseys for multi-season use and with the Mantle memorial armband and number removed, this jersey appears to have been made ready for the 1996 season.”
The jersey comes with a letter of authenticity from Yankee-Steiner Collectibles authenticating that Jeter wore the jersey during the 1995 season and signed it.
“Derek’s upcoming Hall of Fame induction is undoubtedly well deserved.” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “Being able to bring what are two of the most unique and valuable Derek Jeter pieces to the public just prior to the induction is truly an honor for us.”