John A. "Cub" Stricker, 2nd Base, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This small Old Judge Cigarettes trading card, made by Goodwin & Company around 1888, features John A. "Cub" Stricker, the second baseman for Cleveland. These cards were a clever marketing tactic, embedding baseball players into the everyday rituals of smoking. In the late 19th century, baseball was becoming America's pastime, and these cards reflect the intertwining of sport, commerce, and identity. Stricker's image, like many others, was carefully crafted to build a narrative of American masculinity and athleticism. But let’s think about what is left out of this image. The labor that produced it, for example. Or, that Cigarette cards circulated in a society grappling with industrialization, immigration, and changing gender roles. These cards were collected and traded, creating a sense of community. Reflecting on this image, consider the stories it tells and those it leaves unsaid about labor, leisure, and the construction of fame in a rapidly changing nation.