Since the Tampa Bay Rays’ debut in 1998, 593 players have donned the team’s uniform. Among the dedicated fans, St. Pete Beach residents Jennifer McKenney and her father, Jeff McKenney, boast a unique collection: a baseball signed by every single player. Their collection is unparalleled, capturing the essence of every athlete who has ever played for the Rays, even those who only had brief stints in the major leagues.
Maintaining this collection has required creativity and a bit of luck, especially during the socially distanced times of the coronavirus pandemic. With the Rays’ future in St. Pete uncertain, the continuation of this father-daughter passion project remains in question.
Jeff McKenney, now 62, never set out to become an autograph enthusiast. “It started as a way to pass time during batting practice and evolved into a family tradition,” he explains. Jeff, who moved to St. Pete Beach in first grade, took his children to the first Rays Fan Fest in 1997 and secured season tickets on the first day they were available. Jennifer recalls the early days at Tropicana Field, where the concrete floor was a stark contrast to the vibrant atmosphere they would come to love.
From the age of 9, Jennifer missed only about ten games in the team’s first decade, usually due to illness or her own baseball commitments. Her playing days ended abruptly at 12 when a bunt attempt resulted in a lost tooth.
A Family Tradition
Despite the mishap, Jennifer’s passion for baseball remained undeterred. “A teammate’s dad, an orthodontist, saved my tooth by placing it in milk and performing a root canal days later,” she recalls. The McKenneys’ routine involved arriving at games two hours early, perfect for collecting autographs during batting practice.
“I’m ready to enter the moment the gates open,” says Jeff, who transitioned from publishing to a security job. Jennifer, now a pharmacy technician, fondly remembers late nights returning to St. Pete Beach, never leaving games early. “We cherished every moment,” she says.
Their autograph collection began without a grand plan. It grew organically, and by the end of the first year, they realized they could aim for every player’s signature. “After the first year, my daughter suggested we do it again,” Jeff recalls.
Maintaining the Collection
They continued this tradition in 1999 and every year since. Jennifer’s brother, Raymond, participated until he lost interest as a teenager. Over time, they perfected their process. “Each ball is placed in a UV-resistant acrylic case,” Jennifer explains. “Dad builds a wooden display case for each year.”
Most players appreciated their polite approach. “Dad always advised us not to bother players often, not to ask the same player twice, and not to be greedy,” Jennifer says. However, some players were challenging to persuade. One unnamed star once sarcastically warned them against selling his signature, and Pat Burrell was elusive until his last day with the team in 2009.
Securing a difficult autograph brings more relief than excitement now. “It’s mostly ‘One down, let’s focus on the next,'” Jeff admits.
Challenges and Dedication
Some signatures are illegible, requiring meticulous organization, especially during spring training when they juggle dozens of balls across multiple fields. “You can learn a lot about players by their signatures,” Jeff notes. “A thoughtful signature shows they understand not everyone is looking to sell it.”
Jeff highlights players like Bubba Trammell and Mickey Callaway for their artistic signatures. However, as players gain fame, their signatures often become less meticulous. Rocco Baldelli’s signature, for instance, became more hurried over time.
The Future of the Collection
The McKenneys store their collection in a climate-controlled environment, showcasing it annually at Rays Fan Fest, which won’t occur this year due to the pandemic. Despite offers to purchase the collection, they refuse to sell. “It’s not about the money,” Jennifer explains. “My childhood and family memories are intertwined with this collection. It’s our life. At 32, I still share a strong bond with my dad through this shared goal.”
While they won’t sell, Jeff acknowledges the growing burden of maintaining the tradition. “The novelty has worn off,” he admits. “At my age, asking young players for autographs feels awkward. But after 22 years, it’s hard to let go. I don’t wake up eager to chase autographs anymore.”
Adapting to New Challenges
The hobby has become more costly, with a dozen MLB balls now priced at $195, more than double the initial cost. Jeff sacrificed golf to fund the hobby. Last year, they resorted to purchasing two signatures on eBay for the first time, as they couldn’t access certain players.
Jennifer also reaches out to players on Instagram, arranging autographs through the mail. She provides pre-paid envelopes, though some players don’t return the balls, resulting in lost expenses. Despite this, many players appreciate their tradition. “Several have told me they think what we’re doing is really cool,” she says.
Jeff concludes that only a move by the Rays out of Tampa Bay could halt their collection. “Otherwise, there’s no finish line unless we drop dead,” he states.
