Tom Daly, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print from 1887, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, captures Tom Daly in action. The catcher’s mitt—a protective symbol—marks a significant point in baseball's evolution, shifting from barehanded play to armored defense. The gesture of catching reminds me of ancient protective poses seen in religious iconography; think of hands outstretched in a blessing or defense, embodying safety and protection. The catcher's stance echoes the emotional intensity of classical sculpture, a concentrated moment of anticipation and readiness. Over time, the mitt and the ritual of catching have become deeply embedded in our collective memory. Consider how this protective stance resonates with ancient ideas of guardianship, reborn on the baseball field. The image serves as a potent reminder of how cultural symbols continually resurface, adapting to new contexts yet still echoing primal human concerns.