New Brittney Palmer Art of Fergie Jenkins, Jermaine Dye Will Raise Money for UChicago Medicine’s GI Research
New artwork featuring Baseball Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and retired MLB veteran Jermaine Dye is being turned into baseball cards with proceeds going to charity.
Jenkins and Dye are the subjects of the works created by artist Brittney Palmer and the paintings have been turned into Topps Project 70 styled encased cards.
The cards are numbered to 200 and signed by both the athletes and the artist. They’re being released in conjunction with the Larry Pogofsky Charity Golf event on Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds benefit the University of Chicago’s GI Research Foundation.
I recently caught up with Jenkins to find out more about the new cards and his thoughts on the hobby.
TR- Could you tell us how this project came together for you, between the GI Foundation, the Pogofsky family, Jermaine and even Brittney as the artist?
FJ- I am friendly with The Pogofsky family, (Brad & Ben Pogofsky) who are investors in the White Sox. I fly in every year to help them raise money for the Gastro Intestinal Research Foundation at the University of Chicago. It’s a fun weekend with myself, Lee Smith, Jermaine Dye, Ozzie Guillen, Carlos Zambrano, and a bunch of other guys and we all help raise some money.
TR-How involved with or how much did you see the art as it was progressing?
FJ- The family asked me if I would do this card and that all the money would go to the charity. I said absolutely but I didn’t see the artwork until it was done.
TR- The design is reminiscent of the 1977 Topps cards. You are depicted with the classic Cubs, what were your thoughts when you saw the finished product?
FJ- When I saw it I thought “Wow. This is amazing!” Brittney did an amazing job on it. And I remember that 1977 card well.
TR- Another incredibly meaningful and special touch to the pieces The butterfly by your glove, honoring your late daughter. How special is it to have her remembered in this piece?
FJ-When I saw the butterfly I was emotional. I had a tear in my eye. It was very special to see that. It made me smile.
TR- It seems as if you are getting more involved in the hobby of sports cards and memorabilia. Is that a fair statement? Are you enjoying all of the cards and creations being done these days?
FJ-. I always loved baseball cards. I saved stacks of my 1966 Topps rookie card. I should probably dig those out. I hear they are pretty valuable. I saved all seven of baseballs from the final out of my 20th win. It’s always fun when Topps sends me the brand new cards to sign every year before they release them.
TR- Last but not least, where can we purchase the original artwork and the cards themselves?
FJ-The cards are numbered to 200 and signed by both myself and Brittney Palmer. They are the 150pt. cards similar to the Topps Project 70 cards. They will be available on the GI research fundraising website. Both Jermaine Dye and myself will be promoting on our social media accounts and Brittney Palmer will as well. The cards will be selling for $125 each until they are gone. Both Jermaine and I are friendly with the Pogofsky family, the event is in honor of Larry Pogofsky, who passed away and was one of the owners of the White Sox.
