I nearly choked when I saw this auction result!

[wolterse]

$6700 for an autograph from then 8 year old Derek Jeter...some will say to 'each their own' but look at that hand writing....and IMHO it's not even that interesting of a novelty, especially at that price....Seriously, $6700....

thoughts? Anyone out their collect childhood memorabilia from their favorite stars?

http://lelands.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=83801

[ajquigs]

Autographs are not my thing, but I can see it.
Possibly unique, certainly novel.
Different strokes ... I guess. I can understand how someone who feels connected to a player through an autograph would get that sense from this.

[yanksfan09]

It's definitely not your garden variety Jeet sig. Looks a little funny but hey , at least it's legible! That's way more than you can say about most current signatures of other players.

Imagine what a ball from Ruth's boyhood industrial school team would go for? I realize it doesn't exist but if one did that could be authenticated in readable shape, I'd guess it would go for more than any other Ruth ball.

[cardsfan73]

For a hard core Derek Jeter collector who has the money it makes sense. How many other Jeter collectors can say they have one of these?

[oldjudge]

At least you can't argue with the authenticity of this piece.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

At least you can't argue with the authenticity of this piece.

Why is that?

[RedsFan1941]

Pretty sure that's the second time this ball has been auctioned.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by cardsfan73

For a hard core Derek Jeter collector who has the money it makes sense. How many other Jeter collectors can say they have one of these?

Agreed. I've seen more spent on stupider.

[ls7plus]

I met Jeter once, in Boston outside his hotel in Boston for the 1999 All-Star game. When quite politely asked for his autograph on a single ball being used to gather the signatures of as many all-stars as possible as merely a personal momento, he gruffly, even insultingly growled, "I only sign for the kids." And he was signing for kids--kids that were being fed balls by two dealers sitting back away from the action down by the curb! The insinuation Jeter made was that an adult must be some sort of bum who couldn't possibly be a fan, and was just out to get his signature to sell the ball because he couldn't make money any other way. I think this dork actually thought the Yankees paid his salary, instead of the fans, through admission tickets, concessions, and parking, and buying TV and radio sponsors' products. He couldn't even conceive of the reality that the Yankees were just a conduit for the fans' money he was receiving as his pay! He is two-faced, having one image he projects for public consumption when the spotlight is on him, and another only shown when there is not a large audience and he feels he can behave as he likes. Jeter could use an entire course of lessons in manners from the likes of Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew and Frank Howard.

Joe Torre and Tony Gynn showed far more class, although I liked Tony's test: He asked if I minded where he signed it, meaning the sweet spot or not, as a way of ascertaining my intentions. Of course I replied, "Tony, it doesn't matter at all--sign wherever you like." He liked that answer, and did. Both were true gentleman, willing to give back to the game. Which brings to mind a question I once asked Lem Barney, who I came to know personally when we went to the same church from 1998 to 2004, and lived for a time in my own home: "Lem, do you know how many All-Pro players there would be without any fans willing to fund the action?" He got the answer right: "None."

Anyway, Jeter jas never been on my favorites list, and while I collect HOF'ers, I don't want or need his card, as he certainly doesn't make mine.

Happy collecting,

Larry

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by yanksfan09

Imagine what a ball from Ruth's boyhood industrial school team would go for? I realize it doesn't exist but if one did that could be authenticated in readable shape, I'd guess it would go for more than any other Ruth ball.

I am sure there is one hiding in a grampas attic, flee market find, or at an estate sale. Just keep checking eBay, Goldin, or Mears for it to show up.

As for the Jeter ball I think it is AWESOME and would love to own such an amazing piece.

[KingFisk]

To a general autograph collector it may seem idiotic but to a Jeter collector I would think it'd be an incredible one of a kind piece. If there were a Jeter museum, this would definitely be on display and be a popular piece in the museum. To someone with a Jeter display it would serve the same purpose as a cool, unique thing to exhibit. I totally get it as a player collector.

[brianp-beme]

Didn't little Steve Lagerbery know any better? Aesthetically it would have been best to let pint-sized Derek have that panel all to himself. Silly, thoughtless Steve...it is just like him to ruin everything.

Brian

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by KingFisk

To a general autograph collector it may seem idiotic but to a Jeter collector I would think it'd be an incredible one of a kind piece. If there were a Jeter museum, this would definitely be on display and be a popular piece in the museum. To someone with a Jeter display it would serve the same purpose as a cool, unique thing to exhibit. I totally get it as a player collector.

Agreed. If you're chasing hall of fame autos, probably not worth it. But, if you're after Jeter stuff, it's a terrific piece.

[mybuddyinc]

Scott Gross (10 yr. old) signed 1970 Lion's Little League Champs:

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Can personally authenticate it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stampsfan]

I have his soother for sale if anyone wants it. It has old dried spit on it, earlier than any other Jeter spit out there. $4000 OBO

[MattyC]

Rather than unnecessarily and discourteously dumping on what might be someone's new thing they like, I'll take the counterpoint to what some have said here; if I was a die-hard Jeets collector I can see the appeal here. I'd certainly bid on a little league piece or sig of one of my favorite guys.