Thomas Flanagan, Pitcher, Sioux City Corn Huskers, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is "Thomas Flanagan, Pitcher, Sioux City Corn Huskers," a baseball card from the Old Judge series made around 1850 by Goodwin & Company. The image captures Flanagan mid-pitch, a frozen moment of athletic prowess amidst a rapidly changing America. These cards weren’t just about baseball; they were advertisements inserted into cigarette packs. Think about it: Tobacco, baseball, and photography converged, creating a potent symbol of late 19th-century masculinity and consumer culture. The "Old Judge" series romanticized the burgeoning sport, offering fans a tangible connection to their heroes. But let's consider what isn't shown, too. Where are the women in this picture? Where are the people of color? Baseball, like much of American society, was deeply segregated. The stories told were often selective, shaping narratives of national identity that excluded many. Looking at Flanagan, we're invited to reflect on how images construct and reinforce cultural values. How do these historical representations shape our understanding of who gets to be a hero, and whose stories are deemed worthy of telling? It's a question that still resonates today.