Frank Ringo

Frank C. Ringo

• Bats Right, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut May 1, 1883
• Final Game September 18, 1886
• Born October 12, 1860 in Parkville, MO USA
• Died April 12, 1889 in Kansas City, MO USA

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Biographical Information

"He is a good man when he keeps straight. . ." - Sporting Life of January 30, 1889

"Ringo is one of the best known base ball players in the profession, as well as one of the most popular." - Sporting Life of April 17, 1889, reporting on his death

Frank Ringo moved back and forth between the National League and the American Association during his four years in the majors, tending to hit better in the National League. Although he was mainly a catcher, he also played infield and outfield.

Ringo committed suicide, dying of an overdose of morphine. Supposedly, Ringo went to lay down after telling his family that he didn't feel well before awaking at some point and telling them about his plan to kill himself. The death was a slow process and they even called a doctor who said he could save him but Ringo refused to cooperate and died a few hours later. His obituary reported that he had had problems with drinking, had given it up for eight months but then taken to drink again. He had a turbulent life. Sporting Life of July 29, 1885 reported that he had been fined $100 "for lushing" and then been released by Detroit, at which point he dropped out of sight. Later, on September 9 the publication stated that Ringo had "finally pulled himself together" and had a job catching. In January 1889 Sporting Life called him a "good, hard-hitting catcher" who was unfortunately "without an engagement for next season".

Outside of baseball, he worked at what Sporting Life called "cigar drumming".

Related Sites

• Frank Ringo at the SABR Bio Project