Is Derek Jeter's autograph worth $1,000?

[Gary Dunaier]

Is Derek Jeter's autograph worth almost $1,000?

Steiner Sports seems to think so. They're advertising a 2014 All-Star Game program, signed by Jeter, for $999.99. (link)

The program itself, unsigned, has a cover price of $15. That means the extra $984.99 is for Jeter's signature.

[Nyygameused]

Steiner always sells things with "hype" for ridiculous prices. When the original yankee stadium was closing, a pair of seats would set you back $1500. I got an email just last year from them offering me a set for $500. I've also seen them drop single signed jeter balls to $300. With them it's a wait and see kind of game.

[Nyygameused]

Also I've personally paid $400 for Jeter at a Steiner signing. Needless to say I felt even that was ridiculous. But sometimes knowing its real has a price, just not steiners prices.

Take a look at what upper deck wants for MJ and tiger.......

[chaddurbin]

i've spent $325 on a jeter signing with steiner, and considered it a deal. it is what it is. the man has to eat after retirement...

[scooter729]

Those gift bags to his one-night stands aren't cheap - gotta pay for those somehow!

[gregr2]

I've wanted a Jeter autograph, but I've been unwilling to pay the price.

[Nyygameused]

Originally Posted by scooter729

Those gift bags to his one-night stands aren't cheap - gotta pay for those somehow!

Signed ball and a free cab home. Way to go jeets

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

i've spent $325 on a jeter signing with steiner, and considered it a deal. it is what it is. the man has to eat after retirement...

I paid $350 for mine and it was only on an index card (my medium of choice). However, as high as the price is, I asked him to add #2 to it (which is atypical) and he did it. I was really happy about that because I feel like it makes the autograph in my collection now unique.

He's a first ballot Hall of Famer, once he gets inducted and it should be 100% vote the first time, Steiner will likely raise the prices.

[drcy]

"I have a family to feed"-- Latrell Sprewell, on why he turned down an 3 year $21 million contract extension from the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves that he considered insulting.

Sprewell later said the minimum $1 million annual salary would be a "slap in the face," and even later his agent said $5 million for a season was "a level beneath which Sprewell would not stoop or kneel!"

Needless to say, NBA followers got some sadistic satisfaction when Sprewell went bankrupt several years later and had his yacht repossessed.

[djson1]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

... the man has to eat after retirement...

Ha...because the $256,000,000+ he's made on his contract salaries alone (not including his ad endorsements, etc) will barely get him a steak dinner. Good thing he's still single, otherwise how would he feed his whole family?

Not that I don't respect/admire the guy, but I would NEVER pay $300 for his signature in person. He's a great player, no doubt, but come on. I'd rather try to get that free gift basket and signed ball the morning after.

[djson1]

Originally Posted by Nyygameused

Steiner always sells things with "hype" for ridiculous prices. ....

+1. Totally agree. Steiner's prices are NOT reflective of market demand. They are way overpriced and they often sell for a fraction of their original prices in the aftermarket or in auctions.

[packs]

I've found that if you wait a while the price comes down but even then it's still too high.

[Michael B]

I had the opportunity to get him twice for free at a sporting goods convention. We knew the day before he was going to be there so off to Sports Authority to purchase store model gloves. At the signing, inside one of those fence batting cages, you could carry nothing. Went through the first time for the free 8x10 from the sponsor. They ran out of those so they started signing your convention id with no other option. My friend and I stuck our gloves under our arms inside our windbreakers. When I got to him I opened up my coat and asked if he would mind and he said no problem. That will probably be the only time I will ever get him.

As to the original question - Not in this lifetime. Not in any lifetime!! - Just my opinion.

[packs]

What Steiner has done to the Yankees is truly sad. Between 1996 and about 2000 my dad and I used to get to games early to catch the players coming in. Jeter was a lock. I must have gotten him ten times. Same with Spring Training. Ever since Steiner came around Jeter and the rest of the Yankees have been impossible.

[yanksfan09]

I have a few Jete sigs but none better than my first. I paid only $35 for it from a dealer early in his 1996 rookie season before he got real big. photo is a little blury, but dont feel like digging ball out right now....

[Lordstan]

I think these types of questions are really best answered as 4 questions.

1) Do I think, objectively, in comparison to the prices and values of other athletes, both past and present, that a Derek Jeter autograph at $1000 is a good, or even reasonable deal?

2) Would I buy a Derek Jeter autograph for $1000?

3) Will there be enough people willing to pay Steiner that amount to make it profitable?

4) Do I think Jeter autos will hold their value at that pricing?

My answers
1) No way. I base this on a few things. a) He is not the greatest player ever. b) He is not the greatest player that ever played for his team. 3) IMHO, He is not the greatest player in his generation. To me, he wasn't even the greatest player on the teams he played for, at the time he played (I would take Rivera, personally). He is a HOFer and will be elected most assuredly on the first ballot, but I don't think there is anyway he, or anyone else for that matter, will be ever be a unanimous selection, so that won't change his value. If Ruth, who has been dead for almost 70yrs is $3k for a cut/3x5, I just can't justify $1k for a guy who is only 40ish. For me, Jordan is an exception as he is absolutely in the argument for the greatest BB player of all time and possibly best sports athlete of all time.

2) No, with the rare exception of needing him to complete some multi signed piece. Even then, I would have a very difficult time doing it. In this instance, the same goes for Jordan. While I can see the value more, I would still have a very difficult time spending that much unless it was a multi-signed item, like those USA Olympic Dream Team posters

3) YES. There are plenty of wealthy or upper mid class people who would shell out a one time number like that for an item of their favorite player, either for themselves or as a Christmas gift. Certainly, Jeter is one of the popular players of his generation, so there are plenty of customers for these types of collectibles.

4) NO(Maybe). You can already buy a Jeter item, of almost any type, on ebay, with all the certs, for way less than what Steiner charges. I added maybe, because if Jeter were to pass away very young, and I hope he does not, then his stuff might hold these types of value. If he lives a long and happy life, which I sincerely hope he does, there will be a lot of people with Jeter stuff that will sell for a fraction of what they bought it for.

None of this in any way is meant as a bash on Jeter. He has been a great player worthy of HOF enshrinement without question.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Derek Jeter was a good player (he hasn't been for a couple years) . Is a HOFer? Definitely. Is he an all-time great? No. Nothing wrong with that.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

Derek Jeter was a good player (he hasn't been for a couple years) . Is a HOFer? Definitely. Is he an all-time great? No. Nothing wrong with that.

I couldn't agree with you more. Never won a regular season MVP, 1 title in the past 14 years. Sure he's a solid player, but not an all-time great like Gehrig / Ruth / Dimaggio. He did a little bit of everything good, nothing great.

[packs]

He finished in the Top 3 three times for MVP. He won 5 other championships. What does winning 1 in the last 14 years have to do with anything? There are so many players in who never won.

And I don't even like Jeter. In the age of flash in the pan shortstops he's the only one still on the field. Not worth the money but you can't take anything away from his career.

[gregr2]

He's currently 9th on the all time hit list, he must be doing something ok.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by gregr2

He's currently 9th on the all time hit list, he must be doing something ok.

Absolutely.

[ooo-ribay]

To the original question:

No.

I can't think of anyone's that is.

[brooklynbaseball]

Mr Jeter was NEVER a great defensive shortstop, very little range, and an average arm. Aroid, Garciaparra Miguel Tejada, Troy Tulowitzki, and others were always superior to Jeter, until injuries and PED's curtailed their careers. I respect Jeter's talent and longevity, the way he has carried himself, but I hardly think he is worthy of all the plaudits he receives for his talent. He was NEVER the best player in the league, never even the best player on his own team, so putting him on such a pedestal to me is ludicrous.

[brooklynbaseball]

And this years "Farewell Tour" is an embarrassment. For a "team guy" he is killing his team this year by playing. Mariano Rivera, who IS the best relief pitcher ever, retired on top of his game, with class, Jeter is doing the opposite. Steiner is the ONLY one doing well by him being at shortstop this year.