Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-14
BY James p. Archer.


NHANY times have been asked
MI that puzzling question,
(Which Of the present day
catchers. i'm your opinion, is the
greatest Of the lot?' and since /
have been writing for the Georgian
] have received numerous queries
by mail on the same subject It is
only fair. therefore, TO the many
friends who have followed me pa
uently in what / have had to say
on the catching department Of the
game TO devote a little space to
telling them what I think Of some
of the great stars OF the day who
labor every day back Of the bat
10 my way of thinking I be-
Heve the Chicago clubs had in their
day the greatest pair of catchers
the world ever has known-thc
White soX when they had Billy
Sullivan and he was good. and the
cubs when they had Johnny Killing
and he was at his best
King and Sullivan
Stand Out Alone.
In making this statement / do
not want to create any prejudice
or start any discussions There
are other Catchers that I consid-
or simply immense, but for all
round work, general ability and
continuous service. which means
the hardest of day-in-and- day-out
work. ! should say that Sullivan
and Killing have had few equals ana
no superiors.
Perhaps this is because ] have
had the opportunity of observing
their work so closely. but after all,
cannot find any flaw in the work
OF either of them. and do not know
how any man could be made into
a better catcher than either Sui
Ivan ! consider the dean Of all
catchers. His work when he was
good was simply perfect and he
had no weak points that I was
ever able 10 discover. In working
with young pitchers he was an in
valuable man and win be for many
years TO come if he chooses to
continue in the game.
Probably Killing was without an
equal in handling young pitchers.
though. John seldom showed any
weakness I'm his work, but 1 al
ways considered that he lost too
many men at the plate when they
were sliding in. King probably
was the better man i'm the hard
spots
Long have I been an admirer II
Lou Criger and consider him one
Of the real wonders OF the game
i'm all round work He had the
arm when he was at his best and
was a Corhing steadier for his
pitcher al all times besides ever
being I'm the game
Gibson Is an
Ideal Worker.
In the National League with
whose performers naturally su
more familiar. I regard Gibson Of
Pittsburg. as an ideal worker.
There - none better than the hard
working Pirate. Charley Doom. 4
regard as one Of the real artists of
the game. II Wilson. Of New York.
were not in the unfortunate posi-
tiou he u.s. being kept ont Of the
game because Chief Meyers Is sue1
great hitter. / would say that lie
would make one ~ the really great
haCkStops OF the game. Meyers is q
lucky man in that ne is seldom hur:.
Nv present tCammate. Roger
Bresnahan. is not only "a marvellous
worker behind the bat, but is one
of the braiuiest. brightest and best
of an players. Irrespective Of posi-
uou. am delighted 20 have him
for workmate and know that we
are going 70 get along fine to-
gS,her
In closing ] want 10 say that I
think Ed Sweeney VIII be "a much
better catcher, as good as he was.
after he has been with Frank
Jhau.. faT "a time. Frank wiz be- a.
revelation TO E.. II he isn't al
ready
Another query that Z aIl auSv.t
now .~ about my style uf throw ms
r.. na' back sharply tu EHs ritehe-.
Dr.. explain rris seeming saumiu-
n... r.r.. want pitcher ta
.... ... ...ar. H.H ..-.. B. Jos
. -. .. r.H. #F. rEHH~ rrr H-H uE.
3 a.. .a. u--.- lE IS .-y s..H battery