Alex McKinnon, 1st Base, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 baseball card produced by Goodwin & Company, features Alex McKinnon, 1st Baseman for Pittsburgh, and showcases a powerful modern symbol: the baseball. McKinnon is depicted in a crouched position, his hands poised around the ball, his gaze direct. This moment of anticipation mirrors the tension found in countless images throughout history. Think of the classical sculptures of discus throwers, frozen in the moment before release, or even the archers of ancient friezes, their bows drawn taut. The emotional energy is palpable. The humble baseball has taken on a life of its own. Consider how its meaning has evolved. What once represented leisure and recreation has become an emblem of national pride, cultural identity, and even economic power. Yet, the ball's simple form retains a primal appeal, a connection to the ancient human fascination with spheres, from celestial orbs to the balls used in ritual games across cultures. The baseball diamond, in turn, with its precise geometry, suggests a ritual space where modern myths are enacted and repeated. This is an emblem, an emotional container if you will, whose significance continues to evolve with each generation.