Ralph Austin Savidge (February 3, 1879 – July 22, 1959), nicknamed "Human Ripcord"[1] and "the finger nail artist",[2][3] was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball.

[4] On April 28, the Pittsburgh Press reported that he had developed a new pitch called the "finger nail curve" and would be using it during the season:[6] "Savidge has introduced the finger-nail ball, so called because it is pitched with the nails of the thumb and the first three fingers penetrating the leather sphere.

The finger-nail ball is thrown with all the force possible, but the Southern pitcher has mastered it so that it floats slowly toward the plate and breaks fast as it passes the batter.

[1] That month, it was reported that Memphis was "making strenuous efforts" to try to re-acquire Savidge,[11] but he was eventually purchased by the Eastern League's Montreal Royals.

On February 25, Sporting Life reported that his addition made the Montgomery pitching staff "look unusually strong" and that he was expected to give his team a "brilliant chance of winning the pennant.

[4] In 1912, Savidge had a hard time getting into shape, was released in July,[14] and subsequently retired from professional baseball.