Helmar “This Great Game” Card #63 – Chuck Connors (Chicago Cubs)

This Helmar art card portrays Chuck Connors of the Chicago Cubs in a thoughtful, almost cinematic pose, his glove held loosely as if between innings. The soft greens and golds of the outfield backdrop glow against the ballpark’s stylized architecture, echoing both the Midwestern charm of Wrigley Field and the crisp tones of early-1950s baseball art. Connors’ upright stance and steady gaze convey the quiet confidence of an athlete whose life would soon transcend the diamond.

Kevin Joseph “Chuck” Connors (1921–1992) spent brief stints in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs before becoming far better known as a Hollywood actor. A first baseman noted for his size and athleticism, Connors’ professional sports career also included time with the Boston Celtics in the Basketball Association of America. His transition from the field to film led to a legendary television career—most famously as the star of *The Rifleman*—making him one of the rare athletes to achieve stardom in both sports and entertainment.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates the intertwined mythology of baseball and American popular culture through luminous gouache portraits and vintage card design. Printed on sturdy stock and gently aged, each piece evokes the hand-crafted warmth of the hobby’s golden age while paying tribute to players whose stories extend beyond the box score.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.