1921 Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Star in Action

This photograph captures Carson Bigbee, a notable baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1921 season. Taken by the Bain News Service, this image is a snapshot of a pivotal time in baseball history, shortly after the establishment of the modern Major League Baseball structure. Bigbee, an outfielder known for his speed and base-running abilities, played a significant role in the Pirates lineup during this era. His presence on the field exemplifies the growing popularity of baseball in the early 20th century.

Captured on a glass negative, this image reflects the technological advancements of the time in sports photography. The use of glass plates allowed for detailed and high-quality images, which helped immortalize athletes like Bigbee. This technique was common until the advent of more portable film formats, marking a transition in how history was documented. In many ways, this photograph stands as a testament to how sports and photography evolved hand in hand, preserving the faces and stories of the game for future generations.