(LOT 2177)
1999 Player-Exclusive Derek Jeter Air Jordan Autographed Baseball Cleats
JETER'S JORDANS!!! At the start of 1999, Michael Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls and basketball for the second time, effectively ending one of the most storied careers in NBA history. Six championships, along with six NBA Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances and so on. But MJ's empire was thriving, and to this day Air Jordan is one of the most successful player-run/established companies in history. And with that great status and power, as in a bid to expand the brand, Michael Jordan hand-picked up-and-comer New York Yankees Derek Jeter to wear his Air Jordan baseball cleats in 1999.

Jeter was the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year and reigning World Series champion with the Yankees. But the young shortstop was far from finished. From 1995 to 2014, Derek Jeter won five World Series titles, five Golden Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, and was a 14-time All-Star. In 2003, Jeter became only the 15th captain in New York Yankees history and only the sixth in the modern-era. When Derek Jeter retired, Louisville Slugger retired his bat model. In 2020, his first year of eligibility, he was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on a near-unanimous ballot save for one nitwit. With 3,465 hits including 544 doubles and 260 home runs, 1,311 RBIs, 358 stolen bases and a .310 career batting average, IT WAS A NO-BRAINER! (for most).

The offered Air Jordan cleats are virtually flawless having never been worn on the diamond. This pair is reminiscent of the 1999 Air Jordan basketball shoes with similar features including the padded upper shoe. They do, however, display a #2 number designation for Jeter, the Ferrari-like symbol on each of the outer shoe panels and Derek Jeter's signature in silver paint pen in the center. These player-exclusive cleats still hold the original "July 24, 1999" tags and were likely placed in Jeter's locker prior to the game. (Side note: NY beat CLE 21-1 on this day.) These size 11.5 Jeter-exclusive cleats are untouched aside from Derek's bold signatures on each shoe at 8-9 strength. From one GOAT to another, these Air Jordans are uniquely part of Yankee history given exclusively to New York's longest tenured captain and beloved shortstop!

MIN BID $5,000