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

This photogravure of Michael Cornelius Dorgan, a right fielder for New York, was made by Goodwin & Company around 1887 as part of a series for Old Judge Cigarettes. Observe the peculiar gesture of Dorgan's hands, raised as if in supplication or anticipation of a celestial gift; it resonates with ancient motifs of offering and receiving. This gesture echoes the 'orant' pose, seen in early Christian art, where figures raise their hands in prayer, open to divine intervention. Here, in this modern context, the outfielder mirrors this sacred gesture, transforming the baseball into an almost holy object. The emotional power is undeniable. Is Dorgan beseeching the baseball gods for a catch, or is he enacting a primal yearning to connect with something larger than himself? This baseball player, caught in a moment of suspense, reveals the enduring human impulse to find meaning and connection in our endeavors, whether on the field or in the cosmos. The sacred and profane are intertwined, each echoing the other across time.