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| The Dugout (Bottom of the Ninth) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Norman Rockwell |
| Year | 1948 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Location | Norman Rockwell Museum |
The Dugout (Bottom of the Ninth) is a 1948 painting by American artist Norman Rockwell, painted for the September 4, 1948, cover of The Saturday Evening Post magazine. The painting depicts the Chicago Cubs bench dejected during a game against the Boston Braves at Braves Field.
The painting became one of Rockwell's most iconic baseball-themed works and came to symbolize the Cubs' "lovable loser" image, throughout.[1]
Composition
The painting features four members of the 1948 Chicago Cubs. From left to right:
- Bob Rush, pitcher
- Charlie Grimm, manager of the Cubs
- Rube Walker, seated behind the batboy, catcher
- Johnny Schmitz, standing behind the batboy, pitcher
Amongst the subjects in the crowd are the daughter of a coach of the Boston Braves and the wife of pitcher Bob Rush.[2]
Background
Before a doubleheader at Braves Field between the Boston Braves and the Chicago Cubs on May 23, 1948, Rockwell approached both teams with the intention of creating a portrait of a visiting team's dejection in contrast elation of hometown fans.[2]
A number of Cubs players and manager Charlie Grimm agreed to pose in the dugout to be photographed. As spectators filled the stands, Rockwell handpicked a number of them and instructed them to mimic expressions of delight or scorn. Additionally, a batboy for the Braves had to be convinced to pose in a Cubs jersey in front of the dugout.[2]
The Cubs went on to lose both games of the doubleheader.[3][4]
References
- ^ "Scott Simon on baseball and the power of art". CBS News. April 23, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rockwell Files: The 1948 Chicago Cubs in Boston". Saturday Evening Post. December 2018.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs vs Boston Braves Box Score: May 23, 1948 (Game 1)". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs vs Boston Braves Box Score: May 23, 1948 (Game 2)". Baseball-Reference.com.
