Are Derek Jeter Collectors Crazy?

[djson1]

I don't know about being crazy, but I would conclude that they are just really wealthy (or at least allocate more of their disposable income to such things). But then again, really rich people are usually a bit crazy.

[marvymelvin]

I just want to remind everyone that Derek Jeter is "not dead" just retiring. He will be autographing everything for probably 50 years to come. I repeat he is not dead...he is not dead...just retiring. The countdown to his last at bat seems more like a wake/funeral than a celebration.

I do agree however that his retirement is probably not comparable to anyone in the last 20+ years. I am a lifelong Yankees fan, and collect only Yankees, mostly 1960's and back. I also like nice clean white single signed Yankees balls, but plan to wait for my Jeter ball when I can get one in person for a mere $100 signing fee somewhere in the 2020's.

Right now it seems that his autograph on anything is $600 and up. Equivalent to a Mantle signed ball. I don't even like the look of his signature. Without identification one could not even tell who signed it. It is not readable and is not even close to being aesthetically pleasing.

Maybe we are all trying to catch magic in a bottle and experience something close to the magic of long ago. But, as mentioned, although we haven't seen a comparable retirement in many years, Jeter memorabilia is not a good investment right now and will not hold value.

I know some will say that it is a hobby for them and they are not investing, but I don't understand why collectors can't have both in mind. I love the memorabilia for the aesthetic value, and for the memories of the players involved, but it escapes me why anyone would knowingly and significantly over pay for something "just because".

All common sense supports the monetary value of Jeter stuff dropping off. It is a fact that he will be signing many things to come. There also will be more than enough game used bats to go around. I don't for a minute think that hoarding his used bats has been only a recent activity. I am pretty sure the Yankees organization, equipment managers, and players alike have been stashing away bats at an alarming clip for years.

There is a chance that Jeter stuff retains value for years to come, perhaps because of his clean record and clean play. This is a rare commodity. Far too many players with HOF careers have been tainted with scandal. If Jeter stuff maintains value for this reason I can support that wholeheartedly. But perhaps the same personal values that have made Jeter the player and man he has been will also result in many friendly opportunities in the future for many more autographs to be had.

Just my opinion, not necessarily yours.

[David Atkatz]

Crazy? Crazy to pay incredibly inflated prices for manufactured drek? Hell, even his game-used stuff is Steiner-manufactured. How many GU jerseys has he sold? Will one ever equal the value of a GU jersey of a good player (and Jeets is only a good player) who had but two home and two road jerseys a season?

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Crazy? Crazy to pay incredibly inflated prices for manufactured drek? Hell, even his game-used stuff is Steiner-manufactured. How many GU jerseys has he sold? Will one ever equal the value of a GU jersey of a good player (and Jeets is only a good player) who had but two home and two road jerseys a season?

Lol. Only a good player. Hahaha

[packs]

The Jeter wasn't great argument is so bizarre to me and I can't understand what it is people are holding onto. The guy played the most premier position for the most premier team for 20 years, was a perennial all star, is 6th all time in hits and was a major reason the team won 5 titles.

I can think of plenty of "good players" who never did any of those things. And I don't even like Jeter. But I see no point in not recognizing the fact that you got to see one of the best players in history over the last 20 years.

[David Atkatz]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...types=og.likes

[packs]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...types=og.likes

There is a difference between being a great player and the greatest player. Reducing his career to him being a so-so good player is bizarre.
Olberman's arguments about him not leading the league in categories or leading the Yankees has no place in the discussion. Why? Because it ignores the fact that Jeter played shortstop, the premier position on the field and a position that sees constant turn over. Except in the 20 years he stood there. Nomar, Arod, Tejada, where are they? What are their legacies? You can find Jeter at short.

I also don't really like that Olberman picks and chooses his stats. He says Jeter's offense was lacking but doesn't say anything about how Jeter is 20th all time in offensive WAR. Ahead of players like Jimmie Foxx, Griffey and Albert Pujols.

His defensive metrics are way off base too. The key to being a great shortstop and not just a good one for a little while is staying on the field. Jeter is 2nd all time in games played at the position.

Olberman has an agenda. He doesn't like Derek Jeter for some reason. I don't know what the reason is, but I'm sure it's not a good one.

[CrazyDiamond]

Originally Posted by packs

The Jeter wasn't great argument is so bizarre to me and I can't understand what it is people are holding onto. The guy played the most premier position for the most premier team for 20 years, was a perennial all star, is 6th all time in hits and was a major reason the team won 5 titles.

I can think of plenty of "good players" who never did any of those things. And I don't even like Jeter. But I see no point in not recognizing the fact that you got to see one of the best players in history over the last 20 years. Does he really need to be taken down a peg? Who was better?

Agree 100%. I would love to add a jeter item to my collection but i have a really hard time paying for it. Whether you like him or not you have to give credit where credit is due. He played the game hard through his whole career and you cant overlook all the accomplishments mentioned in your post.

He is a true ball player. Plays the game like he loves it. It is plays like his "double cut relay play" where he backhand flipped the ball to posada. That is the kind of "baseball smarts" that are hard to find now. Knowing the situation and making what i feel is one of the greatest plays ever you can compare it to the Willie Mays "Catch". I have to remind a lot of people that it was not only "the catch" that made that play so great it was the throw back in saving the run.

I do think those of us that were not fortunate enough to see the mantles, mays, williams, etc. were lucky to see jeter play.

I have to add i am not a yankees fan either

[gregr2]

I've been wanting a Jeter signature but refuse to pay the current asking prices. To me, it is just unrealistic. Like others have stated, I'll also wait 6-10 years and hopefully the prices will drop to a reasonable area and I'll pick one up for what I believe it to be worth.

[MacDice]

Let me start off by saying that I am not a Yankee or a big Jeter fan. That being said, I would like to see him pull a Ted Williams and not play again after his final home game. I think that after 20 years, that the last time he is on the field and in uniform should be at Yankee Stadium and the home town fans.