FOX Sports and Fanatics Collectibles launch MLB at Rickwood Field promotional tour at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 23, 2024) – Today, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces a collaboration with FOX Sports and Fanatics Collectibles in advance of this year's special presentation of MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues. As part of the collaboration, a giant trading card honoring Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige will be unveiled at the museum. This card is the first of four baseball legends to be featured during a promotional tour at select Major League Baseball games and tourist attractions in May and June. Also featured will be Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays.

The giant Negro Leagues trading cards measure 24×16 feet and weigh 8,000 pounds. They were masterfully sketched by former MLB player Micah Johnson using only his fingers, charcoal pencils, an eraser and a paint roller. The tour, which appropriately begins at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, helps build anticipation for the unique game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, June 20, played at historic Rickwood Field , America's oldest baseball stadium in Birmingham, and broadcast nationally on FOX.

“The greats of the Negro Leagues are larger-than-life figures in American history and the history of the great game of baseball, and it is only fitting that a larger-than-life unveiling be held at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “We want to thank our friends at FOX Sports, Fanatics Collectibles and Major League Baseball for keeping the spirit of black baseball alive.”

“We are honored to partner with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and FOX Sports to celebrate the many contributions of the Negro Leagues,” said Ken Turner, CMO of Fanatics Collectibles. “Our trading cards serve to tell and preserve legacy, and we believe everyone who takes part in this tour will have the opportunity to reflect on these baseball legends and understand the positive impact they had on the game today .”

Turner also detailed Fanatics Collectibles' partnership with former MLB player – and current artist – Micah Johnson to create a custom trading card set to commemorate the celebration. The 2024 Topps MLB Rickwood Negro Leagues Collection features Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Willie Mays, Larry Doby and Monte Irvin.

Turner continued, “Our trading cards serve to tell and preserve legacy, and we believe everyone who experiences this tour will have the opportunity to reflect on these baseball legends and understand the positive impact they had on the had today’s game.”

“We are honored to honor the enduring legacy of the Negro Leagues and its players with this unique, larger-than-life effort,” said Robert Gottlieb, president of marketing for FOX Sports. “And we couldn't be more grateful to have the opportunity to launch this tour at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and provide fans with a unique access point to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the league and its history.”

Today's unveiling also includes a one-hour public activation window offering immersive experiences including brand ambassadors and unique photo ops. To kick off the public activation, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick and former MLB player and artist Micah Johnson will lead athletes and media from the Kansas City Royals MLB Urban Youth Academy on a tour of the museum before heading to nearby Buck O'Neil Tribute Park go for the special unveiling.