Paul Revere "Shorty" Radford, Right Field, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card of Paul Revere "Shorty" Radford, a right fielder for Cleveland, made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Notice the stance Radford takes, bent low with hands outstretched, ready to catch or field. It’s a posture we see echoed throughout time, think of ancient Roman statues of athletes poised for action, or even depictions of Hermes, the messenger god, forever caught in mid-flight. In each, we sense a readiness, a vibrant potential. Consider, too, the symbolic weight of sport itself. It is not merely a game, but a ritual, a theatre where we play out our collective desires for triumph and struggle. This card, then, captures not just an athlete, but a cultural hero, embodying ideals of strength, agility, and the endless pursuit of victory that resonates across centuries.