Gil Hatfield, 3rd Base, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This late 19th-century baseball card, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, features Gil Hatfield, 3rd Base, New York. The card is a window into a burgeoning cultural phenomenon. Hatfield’s clasped hands are not merely a casual gesture; they resonate with a history far beyond the baseball diamond. Consider the 'orant' pose, prevalent in early Christian art, where clasped hands signify prayer and supplication. Here, the gesture has been secularized, yet the underlying theme of hope, anticipation, and perhaps a plea for good fortune remains. Such gestures possess a life of their own, transcending their original religious context to become embedded in our collective consciousness. Even today, athletes often engage in similar gestures before crucial moments, a subconscious invocation of luck and skill. This image taps into something deeply human, a primal desire for success. It is a powerful symbol passed down through history, resurfacing and adapting to new cultural landscapes.