[1] In August 1884, Ringo was released by the Quakers and signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association.

"[3] In early September 1885, the Sporting Life reported that he had "finally pulled himself together" and had recently been catching and playing creditable first and second base for Augusta.

[1] Ringo concluded his major league career appearing in 16 games, 13 at catcher, for the Kansas City Cowboys in 1886.

[5] According to a report in a St. Paul newspaper, Ringo was perceived there as "an excellent catcher and hard hitter, and on and off the ball field was a bright and companionable gentleman.

[7] After a lengthy period of battling problems with alcohol, Ringo had reportedly stopped drinking in the late summer or fall of 1888.

"[8] He signed to catch for the Kansas City baseball club and reported to training camp in the middle of March.

"[7] Shortly after training camp began in March 1889, Ringo resumed drinking and had been on a "terrible spree" for two weeks before his death.

[7] On the afternoon of April 11, 1889, Ringo ingested 40 grains of morphine at his mother's residence at 1214 Virginia Avenue in Kansas City.

It was reported that the morphine was his second attempt at suicide, and his actions were motivated by feelings of mortification and shame at being unable to free himself from alcohol.

According to one newspaper account, the suicide was "deliberately planned and carefully executed", and the drug had hours to take its effect before Ringo's condition was discovered.