More than three decades ago, Dick Groch made a declaration that helped change the course of Yankees history.

The Yankees held the No. 6 pick in the 1992 draft, and although Derek Jeter was high on their board, they knew the high-school shortstop from Kalamazoo, Mich., had committed to play college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines.

“He’s not going to the University of Michigan,” Groch, a scout who had closely followed Jeter, famously said on a Yankees conference call. “The only place Derek Jeter is going is Cooperstown.”

Groch died Wednesday night at age 84, according to MLB.com .

Jeter was among those to offer condolences, writing Thursday on social media , “RIP Dick Groch. My Yankees scout who believed in me and signed me. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and love

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