As a catcher, he could remain squatting and still throw out runners attempting to steal second base due to his unique arm strength, which became his trademark, acquired from the healing of burns that shortened his muscles[1] after an industrial accident in which Archer fell into a vat of boiling sap at the age of 19.

[3] He later played for Detroit for 18 games during the 1907 season,[3] and started the fifth and final game of the 1907 World Series against the Cubs, but was hitless in three at bats as the Tigers lost 2–0; both Cub runs followed successful stolen bases against Archer and pitcher George Mullin.

[3] He played three games en route to the Cubs' 1910 World Series loss to the Philadelphia Athletics, and after doubling with one out, scored the winning run on Jimmy Sheckard's hit with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 4 – the 4–3 victory giving the Cubs their only win in the Series.

[3] After his retirement from baseball, Archer worked as a hog purchaser for the Armour meat packing company in Chicago.

He received a medal from the National Safety Council in 1931 after using prone pressure resuscitation to revive two truck drivers who had been overcome by carbon monoxide in the Union Stock Yards.

[2] Archer died at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the age of 74, due to a blocked coronary artery following treatment for spinal tuberculosis.