Play Ball! The World's Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs

    1,200 Baseballs, 119 years of Detroit Tigers baseball history.

    Exhibit Opening Day: April 4, 2025.

    For as long as professional baseball has existed, players have autographed equipment for fans to take home and display. One dedicated Tigers fan amassed a collection of autographed baseballs so enormous, that it is now the centerpiece of this brand new exhibit. Steve and Mary Nagengast generously donated Steve’s collection of 1,200 autographed baseballs and other memorabilia dating between 1901 and 2020, so the public can enjoy the fruits of his labor.

    The one-of-kind exhibit shares the legacy of the Detroit Tigers, their players, and stories that have made baseball history through artifacts, images, and interactives. Visitors can also imagine their own Tigers team, discover surprising facts from baseball history, sit in a set of real Tigers stadium seats in use from 1978-2008 for a photo op, and more as they take in this Nagengast’s impressive collection.

    Baseball signed by miguel cabrera

    Baseball signed by Miguel Cabrera

    REndering of entrance to Play ball exhibit with Detroit Tigers logos and signage on the wall and two real tiger's stadium chairs in front of an image of a full stadium.
    Rendering of guests looking at a wall of baseballs and playing with a model baseball field interactive
    Rendering of guests intereacting with a model baseball field

    About Steve and Mary Nagengast

    Steve Nagengast became a Tigers fan when his family relocated to Detroit in 1961 when he was 10 years old. His first Tigers autographs were obtained in the 1990s during a signing event at Woodland Mall and while attending Detroit Tigers Fantasy Camps in Lakeland, FL. 

    Steve’s collection was formed by making purchases through national auctions, personally meeting with players, networking with memorabilia dealers, attending national shows, and mailing baseballs to former Major League Baseball (MLB) players. It is believed to be the largest collection of Detroit Tigers signed baseballs in the world. Highlights include baseballs signed by legends Ty Cobb, Al Kaline and Miguel Cabrera and many other Hall of Fame players, owners, managers, announcers, and members of the Tigers’ World Series championship teams from 1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984.

    Steve and Mary want to recognize their four grandchildren in making this donation possible. Harrison and Eleanor Zuidema and Conor and Quinlan Walsh are excited to see their grandparents’ collection displayed and preserved for future baseball fans.

    Steve and Mary Nagengast with their children, their children's spouses, and their grandchildren in front of a sign reading "BALL" "STRIKE" and "OUT" with screens below each to display numbers.

    Sponsored By:

    Crowe LLP logo

    Patron

    • Quinlan Walsh, Conor Walsh, Eleanor Zuidema, and Harrison Zuidema

    Sustainer

    Friend

    • William and Debora Bartholomew
    • Jim and Betty Bolger
    • Michael and Helen Maiman
    • Hunter and Sydney Maiman
    • Susan and Gary Milligan
    • Don and Kristi Nagengast
    • Jan Siegel