Hughes, Pitcher, Brooklyn, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print from around 1889 by Goodwin & Company features Hughes, a pitcher for Brooklyn, in his baseball uniform. The most arresting feature is the ball suspended in his hand, reminiscent of the orb or sphere as a symbol of power and authority. Think of the Roman emperors holding a globus cruciger, or Renaissance paintings depicting monarchs with a similar sphere, symbolizing their dominion over the world. Here, the baseball takes on this symbolic weight, transforming Hughes into a master of his domain, the baseball field. The gesture itself, hand raised, ball presented, echoes ancient orators or religious figures presenting offerings to the gods. This image powerfully engages with our subconscious, tapping into a collective memory of symbols of power, of control and capability. The symbol has been passed down through history, shifting from overt political power to the prowess of an athlete. This non-linear progression shows how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.