Sports & Recreation

Item Description

Derek Jeter Kalamazoo High School Scouting Report By Yankees Scout Dick Groch 2 Photo 14x26 Framed Collage.

Most Yankee fans wouldn’t recognize April 8th, 1992 as an important date in Yankees history. It doesn’t compare to October 13th 2001, when Derek Jeter ran across the infield grass at the Oakland County Coliseum to grab a fleeting Shane Spencer’s outfield throw and “flip” the ball to Posada at home. It doesn’t compare to October 31, 2001 when Jeter’s World Series walk off home run dubbed him, “Mr. November”. It definitely doesn’t compete with July 11th, 2011 when Jeter became the first player in Yankee history to join the 3,000 hit club going 5 for 5 on that summer day and sending hit number 3,000 into the left field stands for a homerun. On April 8, 1992, the Yankees didn’t even play a game.

Dick Groch was the scout who on behalf of the New York Yankees scouted a 6’2”, 159 pound shortstop from Kalamazoo High School, Derek Jeter. Groch has often recounted, “people tell me you signed a good player. No I tell them, I signed a franchise.” In April of 1992 Groch knew the kid he was scouting was special. Scouts routinely use a 20 to 80 scale to rate the different skills of a player, with a score of 50 considered to be an average Major Leaguer. A 60 means a player is above average and a 70 means a player is among the best of the best. Jeter was rated on that day by Groch a 64, and ended by summarizing "A Yankee!" A five-tool player. He will be a M.L. star times five!!."

By now the story has been told, when the 6th pick in the draft came there were still a few within the organization who thought Derek may forego the pros and head to the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship when Groch spoke out “the only place this kid is going is Cooperstown.” As we now are in the final season of a career that includes 5 World Series titles, over 3,000 hits, 2000 World Series MVP, 1996 Rookie of the Year and more it’s obvious how right that ‘92 report was.

Now with Steiner Sports you can bring home a true Jeter keepsake and piece of Yankees history with this limited edition framed Collage. Each 14x26 limited edition collage is framed with 2 photos of a young, pre 1996 Jeter in Yankees pinstripes along with a reprint of the actual Dick Groch scouting report. For the Jeter fan or baseball historian this is the perfect gift and a symbol of where it all began for Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees. Groch couldn’t have been more correct, he did sign a franchise! 

The winning bidder will recieve a certificate in the mail recapping their purchase. Steiner Sports will mail the item directly to winning bidder at the conclusion of the Auction. There is no additional charge for shipping.