Ralph Works
Ralph Talmadge Works, nicknamed "Judge," was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds.
Born in Payson, Illinois, Works was called "Judge" by teammates for his scholarly countenance. Works had career record of 24-24 with a 3.79 ERA. His best season was 1911 when he went 11-5 in 30 games for the Tigers. He ranked fifth in the American League in winning percentage in 1911, seventh in shutouts with three and eighth in games finished with 10.
Works died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Pasadena, California in 1941 at age 53, with his wife in an apparent double suicide. He is buried in Altadena's Mountain View Cemetery.
