The collection of official American League and Major League baseballs began early in the 1998 inaugural season of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Major League Baseball club when Rays players began rewarding fans Jennifer and Raymond McKenney (ages 9 & 7 at the time) for their loyalty to the team by tossing balls to them during pregame batting practices. After acquiring more balls from players in the bullpen - at the time located below their rightfield seats - parents Jeff and Kandy suggested that they get the better quality balls autographed. Since that day the hobby has evolved into a family collection of nearly 200 balls, each INDIVIDUALLY AUTOGRAPHED by EVERY RAYS' PLAYER and COACH to wear a uniform during a regular season game. The complete story and listing of players past and present who are part of this collection can be found in the following links.
LINKED PAGES
Tampa Bay Sports Network
Original Collection Homepage
