“Growing up, I chased the 59FIFTY like it was the ultimate crown.
Opening Day, April 6, 2015 – I put it on and could finally say:
I made it.
Now, I’ve made my own. But not for me.
This collection is for all dreamers, the believers, the ones building their own worlds around their dreams.”
Micah Johnson
Retired MLB Professional Baseball Player & Time Magazine Featured Artist
Limited edition 59FIFTY New Era Micah Johnson Blank Canvas Collection features bold new takes
This is more than a cap. It’s a canvas.
This is an official MLB x Micah Johnson collaboration, created in partnership with New Era. Micah Johnson, a former professional baseball player turned contemporary artist, is renowned for his thought-provoking and emotive work, and now, he brings that same creative force back to the league.
Each fitted cap is built with:
- A poly chrome crown
- A team-colored visor and button
- Classic embroidered front wordmark
- The MLB Batterman logo at the back
- A gray undervisor with Micah’s handwritten quote: “ye of little faith, just watch.”
And on the right side of each hat, you’ll find the iconic astronaut helmet logo from Aku, Micah’s bold art project and astronaut character that has inspired millions of young dreamers around the world.
Shop the full Micah Johnson New Era Hat Collection:
About the Aku Character, Micah Johnson’s Symbol of Hope & Empowerment
Aku is a young Black astronaut created to inspire kids to dream without limits. The Aku character, created by Johnson, was inspired by his nephew’s question, “Can astronauts be Black?”, and symbolizes hope and empowerment. Aku represents courage, imagination, and the breaking of societal limitations. His space helmet is a metaphor for dreaming big and not being confined by expectations or stereotypes.
“Aku is for every kid who was ever told they couldn’t. He’s for every kid who looks up at the sky and wonders, ‘Why not me?’”
About Micah Johnson
Micah Johnson is a former MLB player turned globally celebrated artist. After stepping away from baseball, he embraced the unknown and poured his energy into creating work that speaks to future generations. A positive role model who uses his fame to support those in need and shines a light on the causes that matter to him and his family.
Micah Johnson MLB Career
Micah Johnson’s professional baseball career spanned several seasons across both the minor and major leagues. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 9th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Indiana University and quickly gained attention in the minors, particularly for his speed. In 2013, Johnson led all minor leaguers with 84 stolen bases across three levels (Class A, Class A-Advanced, and Double-A), helping the Birmingham Barons win the Southern League Championship.
Despite dealing with hamstring and knee injuries in 2014 and 2015, Johnson continued to post strong offensive numbers in the minors. Over his minor league career, he recorded a .283 batting average with 35 home runs, 249 RBIs, and 193 stolen bases in 2,397 at-bats.
Johnson made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 6, 2015, as a second baseman. He later had brief MLB stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and the Atlanta Braves in 2017. Across 61 MLB games, he compiled a .224 batting average with no home runs, 4 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 116 at-bats.
After his time in the majors, Johnson continued playing in the minors, including a stint with the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He elected free agency in November 2018.
About Micah Johnson’s Art
Micah Johnson NFT Project
Micah Johnson’s Aku NFT project is a pioneering Web3 art and storytelling initiative created by former MLB player turned artist, Micah Johnson. It centers around Aku, a young Black boy in an astronaut helmet, inspired by Johnson’s nephew asking, “Can astronauts be Black?” The project aims to empower underrepresented communities and show that dreams have no limits.
The Aku story began with a series of 10 animated NFT drops called Aku Chapters, each unveiling a part of Aku’s journey. These were followed by Akutars, a collection of 15,000 unique 3D avatars designed as PFP (profile picture) NFTs. Holders get access to exclusive content, experiences, and collaborations with leading streetwear and fashion brands like Puma, Billionaire Boys Club, and ICECREAM.
Through events like Aku World at Art Basel, featuring physical installations, digital art galleries, and immersive experiences. Aku has successfully bridged the digital and physical worlds. The project has earned over $20 million in NFT sales and was the first NFT-based character optioned for film and TV by Anonymous Content.
Despite a major smart contract error during the Akutars launch, which locked $34 million in ETH, Johnson and his team remained transparent and committed to the vision. Today, Aku continues to grow as a Web3-native media brand focused on community, creativity, and cultural impact, redefining what digital art and storytelling can achieve in the blockchain era.
Aku X Time Magazine
Aku gained widespread recognition by gracing the cover of TIME Magazine for its August 15, 2022 issue, titled “Into the Metaverse.” This iconic feature highlighted Johnson’s pioneering role in the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art space, where Aku quickly became a viral sensation and even the first NFT character optioned for a major feature film.
Aku X Christie’s and Bonhams
Micah Johnson’s groundbreaking digital art, particularly his Aku series, has indeed made its way into the esteemed auction houses of Christie’s and Bonhams, marking a significant milestone for NFT art in the traditional art market.
Aku x Macy’s Collaboration
In 2022, Macy’s featured Aku in its iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade, the first NFT character ever to appear as a balloon. This historic moment brought Micah Johnson’s Web3 creation to a national audience, bridging digital art with mainstream culture and highlighting Aku’s message of empowerment and representation.
Micah Dreams Art Studio
Micah Dreams Store is the creative workshop and retail space founded by former MLB player–turned–artist Micah Johnson in York, Maine. Micah Dreams isn’t just a store, it’s a working studio. They design, paint, print, and build everything right there. Visitors are welcome to step inside, see what’s in progress, and maybe even customize something of their own.
A Message from Micah
“A blank canvas can be intimidating.
Where do you start? What if it doesn’t work
I wrestled with those questions every day when I retired from baseball—and honestly, I still do. Every time I face a new canvas, those questions return.
But a blank canvas isn’t a void.
It’s a doorway.
A chance to start fresh, create boldly, and dream without limits.
Every journey begins here.
Every dream starts with a blank canvas.”
Not Just a Cap
This isn’t just another hat on a shelf.
It’s art. It’s story. It’s a symbol of belief.
We hope you appreciated this wonderful overview of Micah’s epic art and hat explorations.
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