Tampa Bay Rays Autograph Baseball Collection

Unless the Rays pull a playoff surprise roster addition I hope to be done with chasing this season. In anticipation of the next spring chase I decided to add something different to my arsenal. I'm always telling guys that I'll leave them alone after they sign - unless they make an allstar team. That usually gets a muted chuckle, but it's true. I'm sure my new hat will get a similar response from some.
- Jeff

You never know when somebody new arrives in the Rays dugout. That's why we always enter stadiums when the gates first open. A few minutes ago a uniformed guy I didn’t recognize was chatting with others in front of the dugout. I barked out to Tampa Bay Times Rays beat writer Marc Topkin who ID’d the man as BRANDON HYDE. (Thanks Marc!) The former Orioles manager is currently working as a Senior Advisor to the Rays Baseball Operations Dept. Turns out he's dressed out for all the Rays home games this season after being hired last December. Like I said, you never know.

Made a quick run to Gwinnett Georgia (8/22) to meet up with the Durham Bulls again to attempt collecting the signatures of 3 Rays prospects. Only NICK MADRIGAL signed for me, and that happened after the game outside of the stadium. Other collectors scored in the same location but attempts to get signatures before the game were ignored for the most part. I almost felt like I was visiting Tropicana Field where autograph collecting remains a difficult task for just about anybody but my daughter. Truth be told it isn't easy for her either. She's just relentless when it comes to getting autographs.
- Jeff

Collected an autograph from the last of the four newest Rays tonight. Jorge Mateo was gracious enough to stop and sign for me postgame.

-Jen

Went 3-4 today on the new roster additions. Jorge Mateo evaded me today.

-Jen

Jen found a way to get recent acquisition TYLER WELLS before today’s game at the Trop. 1 down, 3 to go.

Visited Pensacola again yesterday to collect more Rays prospects playing for the Montgomery Biscuits. It was a good day for getting autographs with outfielders THEO GILLEN & CONNOR HUJSAK, infielders WILL SIMPSON & MAC HORVATH along with pitchers DERRICK EDINGTON & CHRIS CLARK all taking the time to ink balls for me.
- Jeff

A whole new group of guys were acquired by the Rays the past 2 days via trade. We're going to be busy in the coming weeks trying to get to them. Fortunately the latest addition to the big club is 2021 Rays draftee KENNY PIPER. The catcher made his MLB debut last night (8/3) in Colorado against the Rockies. Our Durham friend Michael K. acquired his signature in Nashville (AAA Sounds) on 8/13/24.

We were able to collect all but one of our autographs for last season in person, with the help of Michael K or from sellers that provided an official MLB certification seal. The one we couldn't get was purchased from a reputable seller but I wanted to make sure we eventually got a signature that we knew for sure was legitimate. That happened yesterday before the Rays game against the Chicago White Sox when former Ray EVERSON PEREIRA signed a ball for me. I feel damn complete now 😎
- Jeff

The Rays latest addition to their pitching staff appeared last night against the Chicago White Sox. Turns out ALEX COOK is the 200th Rays player to make their MLB with the club. (I thought it would be a higher number?) He signed this ball for us 2/16/2 at the Rays spring camp in Port Charlotte. Congrat's to the righthander!
- Jeff