Andrew J. "Andy" Cusick, 1st Base, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is "Andrew J. 'Andy' Cusick, 1st Base, Milwaukee," a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, crafted around 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. It is a cultural artifact that speaks volumes about the intersection of commerce, sport, and identity in late 19th-century America. Baseball, then as now, was deeply intertwined with notions of American masculinity and national pride. These cards, distributed with cigarettes, fueled the growing popularity of the sport while subtly promoting ideals of rugged athleticism and competitive spirit. Cusick, a working-class athlete, became a symbol of aspiration. The card flattens the complexities of his identity into a marketable image. While celebrating his athletic prowess, it also reduces him to a commodity, packaged and sold alongside tobacco products. This piece challenges us to consider the commodification of athletes and the narratives we construct around them.