1. Early life
James Joseph Ring was born on February 15, 1895. Information regarding his early life and upbringing is limited, but he pursued a career in professional baseball, eventually making his debut in Major League Baseball.
2. Professional baseball career
James Joseph Ring's major league career spanned 12 seasons, during which he played for four different teams. His career included notable achievements, particularly an 18-win season and a key role in a World Series championship.
2.1. Cincinnati Reds (1917-1920)
Ring began his major league career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1917. He was used sparingly during his first two seasons, 1917 and 1918. However, his performance significantly improved in 1919, when he secured 10 wins. That same year, he played a crucial role in the 1919 World Series, where the Reds faced the Chicago White Sox. In Game Four of the series, Ring famously defeated Ed Cicotte and the White Sox, pitching a dominant 2-0 shutout with only three hits allowed. He also appeared in Game Six as a relief pitcher, taking a loss after allowing one run in five innings of relief. The Reds ultimately won the series, making Ring a World Series champion. In 1920, his final season with the Reds, Ring achieved a career-high of 17 wins. At the end of that season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Greasy Neale in a transaction that brought pitcher Eppa Rixey to Cincinnati.
2.2. Philadelphia Phillies (1921-1925)
Following his trade from the Reds, Ring joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1921. During his first tenure with the Phillies, from 1921 to 1925, he consistently performed, averaging 12.8 wins per season. His most successful season came in 1923, when he recorded a career-high 18 wins. His consistent pitching made him a significant asset to the Phillies' rotation during this period.
2.3. New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals (1926-1927)
Before the 1927 season, Ring was traded by the Phillies to the New York Giants. With the Giants, he achieved an 11-10 record. His time with the Giants was brief, as he was subsequently sent to the St. Louis Cardinals in a significant trade that involved prominent players. This trade sent Ring and Frankie Frisch to the Cardinals in exchange for Rogers Hornsby. Ring's performance with the Cardinals in 1927 was challenging; he failed to record a win, appearing in 13 games and finishing with a 0-4 record.
2.4. Return to Philadelphia Phillies (1928)
In 1928, James Ring returned to the Philadelphia Phillies for what would be his final season in Major League Baseball. Despite his previous success, his last season saw him record a 4-17 mark across 35 appearances, concluding his professional playing career.
3. Career statistics and achievements
Throughout his 12-season Major League Baseball career, James Joseph Ring compiled a comprehensive statistical record as a pitcher. He participated in 389 games, pitching a total of 2357.1 innings pitched. His career statistics include a record of 118 wins and 149 losses, alongside 833 strikeouts. He posted a career ERA of 4.13. Additionally, Ring completed 154 games and recorded 9 shutouts. His most notable achievement remains his contribution to the Cincinnati Reds' championship in the 1919 World Series, where he pitched a complete-game shutout in Game Four.
4. Death
James Joseph Ring died on July 6, 1965, at the age of 70, in Queens, New York.