Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray, Catcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print from 1888, by Goodwin & Company, depicts Jeremiah "Miah" Murray, a catcher for the Washington Nationals. Notice the gesture of Miah's hands, clasped as if to receive, protect, or even pray. Throughout history, similar hand gestures appear across various cultures and religious contexts. Think of supplicants in ancient frescoes or medieval icons, their hands raised in supplication or reverence. Miah’s pose is reminiscent of these ancient gestures, yet now repurposed for a modern arena. The ball, though not visible, becomes a focal point of anticipation and potential energy. This anticipation evokes deep, subconscious feelings of hope and the thrill of competition. This image, a simple baseball card, transcends its immediate context. It taps into a reservoir of collective memory, echoing age-old motifs of protection and readiness, revealing how even the most modern pastimes are rooted in primordial symbols.