The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02
PLUCK AND NERVE
WIN FOR ARCHER
Stormy Career of Brilliant
Young Cub Backstop
PRODUCT OF THE SOUTH
Frank Chance Picks Him Up After
Hughey Jennings Turns Youngster
Down-"squat Throw" Pre-
JudIces Tiger Leader.

From the Washington Herald
II any ball player be respondent let
him consult Jimmy Archer.
Let him listen to the tale of the ups
and downs of the Cub catcher. If he
fails to be cheered he Is Respondent in
deed.
For II ever a man had stormy life in
baseball this crack thrower of the Cubs
is the man. 1t seemed that he was the
special favorite of Fate at one moment
and that the next Miss Fortunes most
bitter enemy.
It was luck that made him a catcher.
Years ago he found himself upon the
pay roll Of the Atlanta, (Ga.) team. How
he happened to become a member of that
band Is mystery which he does not at
tempt to solve. Nor did he at that time
He was content then to get whatever was
coming to him at the first of each month
Nor would he have kicked il the sum
had been small. Looking back he has
an idea that the manager must have
mistaken him for some other man or
traded for him sight unseen.
Nevertheless he arrived in Atlanta
What position do you play?" the man
ager queried.
An outfielder.
I'm an outfielder." answered Archer
So he was-in those days. Well, they
put him in the outf1eld Catchfiies? Yes
A good wing? Answer in the affirmative
as you will testify If you have ever seen
him play. Fit? Not lick.
In the thirteen games he hit .033. Fate,
indeed, was treating this young ball play
er pretty tough. But no rougher than
the manager. And mild compared to
the players.
There was at one time a man manag-
ing the Meridian, (Miss.) team who knew
little about ball players. SO the mana
ger of the Atlanta team. looking the field
over decided here was the spot to unload
his gold brick. He visited Meridian.
IT have fine player that want to sell
YOU" began the Atlanta manager.
For why?" from the Meridian agent
81 have surplus Of ball players. He is
a fine outflelder. He is a great thrower
He is a fair sticker. 1 will sell him
cheap"
How much?"
you can have him for $500"
And his manner"
Archer"
Turns Down Offer.
Not for one-half that sum would I
have him." yelled the man from Meridian
Maybe he was not judge OF ball players.
Also, maybe, he didn't consider Archer as
belonging to the class.
Which put the manager of the Atlanta
team in q towering rage. When he re-
turned to his native city there was anger
In his heart. He was at peace with no
one. A consuming rage burned within
him.
The outlet? Archer.
'.You will go behind the bat today" he
the next day.
me catch9" queried Jimmy. 'I can't
CATCH"
well, you can't do anything else, 50 I
don't see that you need to KICK" was tho
retort.
Archer was catcher. He caught that
afternoon. He caught every other after
noon. Wasn't 1t queer way fate had
of finding the spot where Archer would
shine7
And this Same fate crossed and double
crossed him once more. After catching
In Atlanta, he went to Pittsburg He was
chased back to the minors and then went
to Detroit. 1t was here that he and fate
mixed again.
mo, like this" Jennings would say.
Then he would take his position behind
tno plate. ne WOulo cdtcn INC Ddl take
q step forward, and illustrate the throw.
Oh, no. He didn't throw to second That
would have been more realistic But Inn
possible-for Jennings.
Well, Archer tried and tried But he
couldn't He shortened his step and he
heightened 1t. But he could not throw
with the accuracy that he did when hs
stood fat-footed and slammed to second.
''That won't do said Jennings.
Presto! And Archer was back In the
minors.
Signed by Cubs.
But not for long. For Chance, who had
seen Archer throw in the first worlds Sc
ries between the Cubs and the Tigers,
saw him work behind the bat again in
the Eastern league with Buffalo, and
when 1909 rolled around Archer was OF
the squad Of the Cubs.
1t was his squat" throw that unmade
him as Tiger ana that made him as
Cub.
Who knows7 II Jennings had not been
prejudiced against this same squat
throw he might have landed the worlds
championship last year.
present office. He accepted the port
A.