Micah Johnson is a former major league player who played for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves. Now, he is in the spotlight again as an artist.
According to NBC News, Johnson started making art after his retirement, with his first painting being Hall of Fame shortstop Maury Wills. However, he wanted to continue making art after that, eventually leading him to a unique opportunity.
With the Rickwood Field game taking place tonight, Topps and Johnson collaborated on a unique project involving former Negro League players and baseball cards into one set.
Back in May, the MLB unveiled the set at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. The first player to be revealed was Satchel Paige, a pitcher who first played for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1927. Starting with Paige is essential because the Rickwood Field game is in Birmingham.
This set includes well-known players such as Paige, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Larry Doby. According to Topps, one out of six packs also contains an autographed proof signed by Johnson, which attracted many people to buy it since it is now sold out.
Even with this set being sold out, according to the Topps website, every Thursday leading up to tonight’s game, Topps added a new card to the collection every week until the last player, Monte Irvin.
MLB and Topps want to honor the Negro Leagues, and their legacy will be remembered forever through these cards, which has created more excitement for the Rickwood Game.
The MLB at Rickwood game takes place tonight at 7:15 PM in Birmingham, Alabama, and on FOX.
(Photo Credit: Satchel Paige, pitcher for the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs, stands at the top of the dugout with baseball in hand. 1942. via Getty Images)
