On June 8, 2022, five U.S. Marines, including Capt. John J. Sax, died in a military aircraft accident in California due to malfunctioning engines. In honor of John Sax, the Sax family established the Captain John J. Sax Family Foundation in 2023. Stephen Sax, a former MLB player and coach, spoke about his son’s struggles and dreams of becoming an aviator. The foundation’s mission is to support aspiring aviators facing obstacles in achieving their goals by providing grants and scholarships to students and schools.
To raise money for the foundation, Sax partnered with MLB to digitize a painting by sports artist Opie Otterstad called “Babe and the Kids.” The painting features Babe Ruth surrounded by young children, with 58 former Major League Baseball players depicted, including 56 Hall of Fame inductees. The artwork was minted on the blockchain as an NFT, ensuring its permanence and immutability. Only 150 out of 200 NFTs produced by the foundation are available for sale, with the rest allocated for special purposes.
Each NFT includes unique features that allow users to interact with the artwork, such as clicking on specific players to access highlights from their MLB careers. The 53rd NFT is dedicated to Don Drysdale, a former Dodgers pitcher, and the 42nd NFT is in honor of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the MLB. Otterstad spent eight years creating the painting, seeking permissions from athletes’ families and local courthouses for accuracy. Despite challenges, he successfully captured the childhood likeness of various players through family photos.
The exclusivity and rarity of the NFTs make them valuable collectibles, comparable to high-grade baseball cards featuring popular players like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani. Each NFT is priced at $15,000 or cryptocurrency and includes decision-making rights and exclusive event invitations. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from NFT sales will directly benefit the Captain John J. Sax Family Foundation, supporting the legacy and love for flight that John Sax embodied. Through this project, the foundation aims to continue fulfilling its mission of helping aspiring aviators overcome obstacles and achieve success in their aviation pursuits.
