Position: first base/catcher/pitcher Bats: right Throws: right

On December 26, 1941, at the age of 11, Archie would leave Livingston and move to Birmingham, AL. He attended Mulga Elementary School and Jr. High School through the eighth grade. Mr. Henry Honer, an electrical trade teacher, took special care to nurture Archie's electrical interests by teaching him how to read schematics.

Dropo left school to work at Fairfield Steel for six to eight months. In Jan 1948, his uncle helped him get a job in the coalmines. In 1950 Dropo was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was admitted in South Carolina and on to Fort Campbell, KY for basic training. Assigned to the 710 Tank Battalion, he would have an opportunity to play ball on a special services detail. He was transferred to Fort Drum for extra training and on to Georgia to serve a Field Artillery Unit. He again found an opportunity to play baseball. While stationed here, a St. Louis Cardinals scout by the name of Ben Devine had been watching Dropo. He offered him a try-out but a nagging injury and poor timing would not allow it.

Upon departing the military, he returned to his hometown, and not long after, ran into Mrs. Gertrude Samuels, a night school counselor. She encouraged Dropo to complete his high school education. He attended Parker High School at night and earned his degree!

Archie pursued a college education in industrial electronics. All the while, Archie worked in the mines of Birmingham - laid off in late 1953 he would pickup and go to Florida to play ball for 1954 and 1955 seasons in Avon Park, FL with the Lou Haney Stars. Now in the spring of 1955, he returned to Birmingham and Louisville happened to be in town. It was here that he would try out and join the Clippers. In 1956 he played part time, when needed for the Birmingham Black Barons and carried over through the 1957 season playing catcher and first base.

From 1958 forward, Archie carried on his baseball efforts forward in the Industrial Leagues for more than a decade. To make a living and provide for his family, he worked in the coalmines for more than 40 years. Electronic repairs was a hobby of Archie's - always fixing something in his spare time.

On December 20, 1952, Dropo was married to Alice G. Young and they have been going strong ever since them. They had seven children: 4 girls and 3 boys. They lost one daughter at the age of 19 and would raise their granddaughter like she was their own. His attitude was key to his success in these tough days. He played because he loved the game; the paycheck was never his motivation.