C.E. Hoover, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of C.E. Hoover, a catcher for Chicago, was produced around 1888 as part of a series of baseball cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. Hoover's posture is striking, frozen in a crouch—a stance of anticipation and readiness. Consider how this posture echoes the poses of ancient guardians, such as the crouching lion or sphinx, poised to protect sacred spaces. The gesture speaks to a primal readiness. It's the quiet before action, filled with potential energy. The act of waiting, of being ready, transcends the baseball field. In the collective memory, this pose is rooted in human experience, symbolizing the eternal vigil. Through time, the catcher's stance evolves, yet its essence as a symbol of readiness remains.