The Yankees drafted a wide eyed young high school player with the sixth overall pick of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Kalamazoo Central High School named Derek Jeter. With an above .500 batting average during his time in High School, Jeter had potential, the same as every other top 10 MLB draft pick, yet so many fizzle out. Jeter began the 1992 campaign with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast single A league, based in Tampa, Florida. In his first professional game, Jeter failed to get a hit in seven at-bats, going 0-for-7, while striking out five times. Jeter continued to struggle during the rest of the season, batting .202 in 47 games. 1992 was so rough for the new draftee that Manager Gary Denbo benched Jeter in the season's final game to ensure his average would not drop below .200. Despite the lack of success The Yankees "promoted" Jeter to the Greensboro Hornets of the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) to give him more at-bats in the last 11 games of the season. Weighing 156 pounds, Jeter had a scrawny appearance that did not match his reputation as the Yankees' future leader, it wasn't until 1993 that Jeter would take the field for the first time official for the New York Yankees, and would be star struck to say the least as you can see in a classic Spring Training interview provided below. Invited to Spring Training would be a generous term, Jeter was given #73, and was the last fielding position player on the roster, only followed by two emergency catchers. The term, he was there to grab a cup of coffee, couldn't have been more true with the 1993 Spring Training. Jeter would get cut from the first round of cuts in Spring Training and sent back down to single A Greensboro where he would finish the year on a tear slashing .295/.376/.394. Offered here is possibly the first ever official Yankees hat to be worn by 2020 Hall of Famer, Yankee Captain, and overall legend Derek Jeter. With a handwritten #73 on the brim, showing Jeter's spring training number (as seen in the video below) along with a size 7/18 label & a ultra-rare vintage c. 1993 autograph in black felt tip marker from a 19 year old Derek Jeter. With the lack of time spent in Spring Training that year, his status with the team & how equipment was handled back then - it's not without reason that this is not only a one-of-a-kind Jeter relic, but possibly the first ever official Yankees cap to grace the future captains head for a game with future teammates & spring training invites, Pettitte, Rivera, Posada, Mattingly, Williams & others. For many, it was their first time ever meeting the future captain, with a very unfamiliar number and wide eyed look under this #73 c. 1993 gamer. Overall in fine condition with excellent use. Authenticated for game use by PSA/DNA game used lead authenticator John Taube with JT Sports & Beckett/BAS for the autograph. Also accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from original recipient Richard Keiser.