Hughes, Pitcher, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This small card, produced around 1888 by Goodwin & Company, presents Hughes, a pitcher for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. The pitcher's stance, with ball in hand, is striking. It recalls the ancient gesture of offering, of supplication. Consider the libation bearers of ancient Greece, pouring offerings to the gods. Or the raised hands in early Christian art, signifying prayer and devotion. Here, the baseball becomes a symbolic offering to the spectators, to the game itself. Yet, it's also a symbol of conflict. This tension, between offering and potential aggression, is a potent force engaging viewers. This simple posture connects us to deeper, almost subconscious, layers of human experience. The symbolism of the raised hand transcends its immediate context, resurfacing in different eras. This speaks to the enduring power of archetypes, the emotional undercurrents that shape our understanding.