Savidge was born in Jerseytown, Pennsylvania. He started his professional baseball career in 1904 and played four seasons in the South Atlantic League. He went 17-13 during his first year, with 185 strikeouts in 33 games. He then slumped to win–loss records of 10-13 and 14-17, but rebounded in 1907, going 19-12 for the Jacksonville Jays. Savidge\'s 216 strikeouts that year ranked second in the league to Bugs Raymond\'s total.\n', '

Savidge went to the Southern Association\'s Memphis Egyptians in 1908. 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:\n', '

Savidge started off hot, and on July 16, he was purchased by the National League\'s Cincinnati Reds for $3,500. He stayed in Memphis for the next two months, however, and ran his record to 20-11. The 20 wins led the entire league. Savidge also had a record of 67 consecutive scoreless innings pitched that season.\n', '

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