1993 Derek Jeter Greensboro Hornets Game-Worn Jersey Minor League – GRADE 19/20- COA Team LOA & 100% Authentic Team

This is the EARLIEST KNOWN jersey worn professionally by Derek Jeter.

Derek Jeter played four seasons in minor league baseball in the NAPBL. While with the Greensboro Hornets, he was described as a baby giraffe, all legs and awkward and gangly. But boy did this giraffe grow up graceful. After a year, he put on muscle and worked his tail off to hit baseballs and field better.

“He was still physically maturing at that point,” former teammate and Yankee Draft Pick Mike Buddie said. “You could see great physical talent. He probably had the strongest arm on the team, including all the pitchers. He had that inside-out swing and I remember thinking, ‘He’s never going to hit a home run.’ He just wasn’t strong enough yet.”

Jeter hit just five home runs that season and the season ended with a Hornets loss in the playoffs. However, Jeter’s kept working hard at it and his career was a meteor from then on. He climbed three steps on the minor-league ladder the next year. By the end of 1995, he was with the Yankees. The rest is history for the future Captain and Yankees icon.

This size “46” grey jersey was worn by Mr. Yankee, Derek Jeter, while with the Greensboro Hornets in 1993. This is from the very start of the future Hall of Famer’s career.  This really is one of the earliest if not The earliest game worn Jeter collectibles ever to come to market. Imagine how many clutch hits and dazzling plays Jeter made when he wore this pull-over? The use is consistent with a whole season of wear because he only had one away jersey for the entire season.

All of the identifiers are applied just like Big League’s team in navy/white blue tackle twill. The front has the team – GREENSBORO across the chest. If his jersey number looks a bit different than what fan’s are used to, it is. Jeter wore No. 31 as a prospect with the Hornets. All the identifiers show tremendous wear with thread fraying and ruckling showcased on the numbers. Secured in the collar is a Wilson label with wash instructions which is well worn/faded from field use (it displays the size 46). The sleeve ends are ribbed in traditional navy/white. All of the interior white areas (collar and button path) also show their age and wear because they have yellowed.

The ultimate concrete security in authentication is the letter on the team’s letterhead. More specifically, the jersey comes from the owner managing partner of the team Greensboro Hornets-which became the Greensboro Bats.  The owner wrote:

“The Greensboro Hornets Road Gray #31 is the jersey Derek Jeter wore in his entire first year full season in Greensboro in 1993.

I was the managing partner or (sic) the the New York Yankees affiliate in Greensboro beginning in 1993 through 2003 ans was responsible for retiring all the Yankees uniforms and equipment using the Hornets nickname as we changed the name of the team in 1994 to The Greensboro Bats (to avoid media confusion with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team).

The Hornets went to the Championship in 1993 of the South Atlantic League and Derek had 590 plate appearances and stayed the entire season in Greensboro. 

When we cleaned out the locker rooms I separated jerseys from some of the players I thought would advance to MLB statue including Mariano Rivera, Matt Luke and several others that made the major leagues.  

Included is the original game Ticket package pamphlet and a Game Program that I have kept from that game. 

Regards -Greensboro Bats Owner.”

Lastly, provided are authentic tickets and ephemera that the Owner of the Greensboro Bats mentions in the letter.

Authentication: Team Letter & 100% Authentic Team