Michael Cornelius Dorgan, Right Field, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This small photographic print was produced by Goodwin & Company in 1887 as part of a series of baseball cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards emerged during a time when baseball was rapidly growing in popularity. Here we see Michael Cornelius Dorgan, the right fielder for New York, captured in a moment of focused anticipation. The image speaks to the increasing commercialization of sports and the evolving concept of celebrity. Consider that the image was made at a time of significant immigration and social change. For many, baseball offered a unifying cultural touchstone and a sense of belonging. The mass production and distribution of these cards also mirror the changing landscape of American consumer culture. It highlights how marketing strategies capitalized on the widespread enthusiasm for sports. This seemingly simple image encapsulates the intertwined histories of sport, commerce, and cultural identity in late 19th-century America.