Albert C. "Al" Mays, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This small card, produced by Goodwin & Company around 1889, features Albert C. "Al" Mays, a pitcher for Cleveland, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. In the late 19th century, the rise of commercialized baseball coincided with new forms of advertising. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer insight into how athletes were marketed and consumed as cultural figures. But what does it mean to be a cultural figure? Mays is captured in the iconic pose, embodying the ideal of athleticism. Yet, consider how identity is constructed here, how the intersection of sport, commerce, and masculinity coalesce to form his image. These cards were immensely popular, shaping perceptions of athletes and solidifying baseball's place in American culture. It's a glimpse into a world where the lines between sport, commerce, and identity were just beginning to blur, leaving us to reflect on who we choose to celebrate, and why.