Evening star., 1911-08-29
CUB CATCHER PROVES
A GENUINE FIND
Manager Chance Picks Up
Jimmy Archer After Jennings
Turns Him Down.

CHICAGO; August 29.-Of the few for
eign ball-tossers in the big leagues, none
perhaps is better known that the ener-
getic Jimmy Archer, backstop and good
all-around utility man in the ranks OF
the Cubs. Though he is not startling
the world with his stickwork, yet he has
made an enviable record for himself be-
hind the bat. No wonder. Chance snapped
his fingers and said II don't care when
Johnny Killings quit him twp years ago.
2 -Four. years ago Archer attempted to do
some catching for Hugh Jennings Tigers.
Young Jimmy and the great leader diff
fered on many points. Jennings tried to
tell Archer how he should run down the
base runners; Archer was determined to
use his own code, and there came dis
agreement which, 1t is rumored, was the
cause OF his subsequent release to Buffalo
When the Cubs battled the Tigers in the
worlds series back in 1907 Chance spot
ted Archer, and at that time told some
Of his friends that he thought a whole
lot. of the young man., The moment Jen-
nings fired him to the Eastern League
Chance was after him. He knew Archer
had the goods in him Other managers
! had passed up Archer because of his
stubborn fnsistence at pegging with his
wrist instead Of letting go in the good
old shioned way-body, head, ribs, feet
and all.
The Cub captain negotiated for Archer's
acquisition in the fall of the following
year. 1908. With Kings growing peevish-
ness. Archer appeared behind the bat with
increasing frequency. till finally he was
given undisputed possession Of that sin.
lister territory by Chances trade with
Boston.
Previous to taking Kings job, Archer
held down the initial sack, while Chance
decided to quit the game and manage
things from the bench. He made good
all right, but 1t was seen at a glance that
his services could be used to better pur-
poses behind the bat-his natural position.
One good thing about Chance was that
he allowed Archer to throw as he pleased.
Archer called Chance to one side in the
clubhouse as soon as he jumped into a
Cub uniform, and impaired to him that
II he wished to get good work out of him
he would let him run things unhampered
while he backstopped the pitchers. Chance
knew of his previous troubles in this re-
spect. and. appreciating the fact that he
had signed up a good player. consented.
Another lucky thing for Chance. Peg
ging with the forearm by the diligent
catcher won far more games for the Chi
cagoans than any one knew about. WIN
Tinker and Evers to grab the throws,
Archer invariably crushed down the run
nefs in great shape, especially in tigh.
situations
When Chance and Holman played first
lit was the same story. Chance mar
veled as he felt the sting in his glove
and noted the innocent attiture of his un-
perturbed backstop. It is his wonderful
wrist. his quick eye and heavyweight
think machine that give him his stellar
berth on the Cub team, and he is good
pinch hitter.
Like all the better stun catchers. there
was a time when Archers teeth chartered
when he listened to the intimidating sug-
gestion of an early manager that he try
lit behind the bat" 1t was wnile playing
in the outfield on the Atlanta team seven
or SO years ago that Jimmy unconsciously
turned into the right road by trying it
behind the bat"