Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-12
Bv. W. J. McBeth.

W re have with us today, gentle
Nv readers, one Of the real
novelties Of the nations
delight. Kindly step forward, Mr..
James Archer, Of the Chicago
Cubs, till the populace gets a peek
at you
Rather a handsome young gen
tleman. isn't he, with his raven
locks, swarthy complexion and Ro-
man profile? Well, take IT from all
the ball players in the National
league he's far better than he looks,
even If he is a handsome kind of a
chap.
There may he better catchers in
the profession today than Jimmy
Archer. of Chicago. But there are
no such backstops, There's a slight
distinction between the two classes.
Catcher involves the broader sense
of that special type Of athletes that
wears mask. wind pad and mitt. A
catcher's value is reckoned relative
to his team worth. taking in his Of
fensive as well as his defensive
ability. Backstop only implies the
defensive issue-the work Of hand
ling pitchers, crossing batsmen and
keeping runners glued to the sacks,
Wherefcre-at least that portion
Of enthusiasts who reside around
the metropoIis-general fandom
will tell you perhaps that Chief
Meyers, of the Giants, is the best
catcher in the National league.
The statement is made keeping in
mind Meyers all-round utility
principally his deadly hitting eye,
for no major league meskman
pur1mels the pill as does the Mis-
sion aborigine. But as a backstop
there Is no man before the public
who can hold candle 10 the Cub
RtaIwart. From a defen sive stand
point he lie as superior 10 Meyers
as Meyers IS superior to Jimmy Of
fensively.
Sits on Back Of Heels
You have often heard catch
sTH highest form Of hattery toward
his pst battery mate. Say, bo,"
says he, Il could catch that guy
sitting IN rocking chair" Archer
has never been known to make
such a boast But every game he
works he handles his pitcher TO the
height Of perfection from far
more difficult position. He doesn't
sit in a rocking chair. But ne sits
on his heels. And while crouched
on the rear view OF his pedals he
can throw Just about twice as ac-
curately and twice as speedily as
any other man set firmly on his
feet for a peg.
Jimmy Archer behind the bat is
the perSonifCation OF athletic
grace. II is worth the price OF ad-
mission alone TO see him work
Fully three-quarters of the time
he squats on his heels firm as
deep seated rock. He is well
knit fellow. muscled like a Greek
runner, but far from giant proper
tons. Yet, while balanced on the
backs of his shoes. ne can take the
speediest shoots of Ed Reulbach
without rocking an inch, and Reul-
bach. when pushing them over, is
renowned for terrific speed
A Nimble. Agile Fellow.
Few pitchers that work with
Archer have many wild filings dur
inR a season. For his peculiar
speciality gives Jimmy "A marked
advantage in receiving. From his
regular working attitude me is SO
low to the ground that a low ball
can scarcely get past him. He can
smother il in the dirt with his big
mitt or shift more quickly from his
crouching attitude to intercept it
II ii takes a mean hop. He Is a
nimble. agile fellow. quick as cat
on his feet and with his hands
Wherefore. If the ball shoots high
he has simply to spring up and
spear it. 1t is a well known fact
that it is far easier TO so up for
high ones than 10 dig down for
crazy chucks. The same natural
advantage that protects pitcher