Michael "Silent Mike" Joseph Tiernan, Right Field, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This small card, made by Goodwin & Company around 1887, was meant to be tucked into packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. It features Michael "Silent Mike" Joseph Tiernan, a right fielder for New York, holding a baseball. The ball itself is a potent symbol. Think of ancient cultures and their reverence for round objects – suns, shields, or orbs that represent totality and cosmic order. In Tiernan’s hands, this seemingly simple sphere transforms into an emblem of modern sport, a nexus of competition, skill, and chance. Consider too, how this small portrait echoes through time. The focused gaze, the controlled grip – these are gestures that recur in images of athletes, warriors, and even gods across cultures. The way he holds the ball, cradled yet ready to be unleashed, speaks to the latent power within. This same tension appears in Renaissance depictions of David with his slingshot or even a portrait of a noble grasping his sword, conveying the same readiness. Such motifs resonate deeply, triggering a sense of anticipation, reminding us of the human potential for action and the primal connection between preparation and execution.