Topps, the renowned trading card company, has joined forces with artist and former MLB player Micah Johnson in an extraordinary project paying homage to the heroes of the Negro Leagues. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the debut of the Topps Negro Leagues Baseball Card Set, a collection that Johnson proudly describes as one of his crowning achievements.
The series commenced with the exciting unveiling of a Satchel Paige card in Kansas City, serving as the prelude to the “Road to Rickwood” endeavor. Leading up to the highly anticipated Rickwood Classic, a new card will be revealed each week, culminating in a special MLB match at Rickwood Field on June 20, 2024. This game, along with the card series, honors the historic significance of the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, once the home of the legendary Birmingham Black Barons. As a nod to this monumental occasion, towering 24-foot replicas of each card will be showcased at various MLB stadiums across the nation.
Micah Johnson, the talented artist behind this series, has gracefully transitioned from his baseball career to establish himself as a respected figure in the art world. His intricate, hand-drawn portraits of iconic Negro Leagues players beautifully blend artistic finesse with a deep-seated reverence for history.
Not only featuring base cards, this special collection offers collectors the opportunity to uncover limited edition Numbered Parallel Cards in every print run. The range of parallels includes the Silver Border (/99), Blue Border (/49), Purple Border (/25), Red Border (/10), Orange Border (/5), and the ultra-rare Gold Border (/1). These variants introduce an extra element of exclusivity and allure to the already cherished collectibles, intensifying the excitement for passionate collectors on the hunt.
Beyond being a nod to the rich heritage and legacy of the Negro Leagues, this card series presents fans and collectors alike with a chance to possess a genuine work of art encapsulating the essence of these baseball luminaries. With fresh releases scheduled every Thursday leading up to June 20, aficionados eagerly await the unveiling of each new addition to this historic and inspirational series.
