Yankees Outfielder Defeated Ostrich in Spaghetti-Eating Contest

Ping Bodie won an 11-plate showdown against 'Percy' the ostrich in 1919 Jacksonville event.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:20pm

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In a bizarre incident from baseball history, former New York Yankees outfielder Ping Bodie competed against an ostrich named 'Percy' in a spaghetti-eating contest in Jacksonville, Florida in 1919. Bodie emerged victorious after Percy passed out following his 11th plate of pasta.

Why it matters

This strange event provides a unique glimpse into the quirky side of early 20th century baseball culture, when players would sometimes participate in offbeat promotional stunts and competitions to entertain fans and generate publicity.

The details

The contest took place on April 3, 1919, just before the start of the MLB season. Bodie, a 31-year-old outfielder entering his fifth year in the majors, faced off against an ostrich named Percy in a spaghetti-eating showdown. Bodie ultimately won the competition when Percy passed out after consuming his 11th plate of pasta.

  • The contest took place on April 3, 1919.
  • Bodie was 31 years old at the time and entering his 5th MLB season.

The players

Ping Bodie

A 5'8", 195 lb outfielder who spent the first four years of his MLB career with the White Sox, then played a season for the Athletics before his last four years with the Yankees. He was a career .275 hitter.

Percy

An ostrich who competed against Bodie in the spaghetti-eating contest in Jacksonville, Florida in 1919.

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The takeaway

This bizarre incident from baseball's past provides a humorous and quirky glimpse into the promotional stunts and offbeat competitions that teams and players would sometimes engage in to entertain fans in the early 20th century.