Artists reimagine the baseball card with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil

One of the cards Efdot is designing features Josh Gibson, a powerhouse hitter from the Negro Leagues who never got the chance to play in the Major Leagues because of segregation. It’s a tribute that means a great deal to Josh Gibson’s family.

“We’re very excited about it,” says Sean Gibson, Josh’s great-grandson. “It’s also perfect timing — there are a lot of things going on right now to recognize Negro League players.” 

In December, the MLB announced that it is retroactively bestowing Major League status on seven Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948. As a result, 3,400 Negro League players, including Josh Gibson, will have their records and stats entered as part of Major League history once the MLB completes the review process.

“In 1943, Josh hit .441,” says Gibson. “If that stands, he would be the MLB’s single season all-time batting leader. It’s one of several categories where Josh’s stats would make the top five, and so we’re hoping that this helps bring more recognition to Josh and our campaign to have the MVP trophy renamed in his honor.” 

Telling a story through details is critical to Efdot. It’s the reason the card he designed has the letters MVP prominently displayed, as well as a number of nods to Gibson’s life, including a catcher’s mitt to symbolize his position and a mention of Josh Gibson Field in Pittsburgh, where he started playing sandlot ball. The field is now home to the Josh Gibson Baseball Academy for youth players.