Ping Bodie
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Ping Bodie | |
| Frank Stephen Bodie | |
 | |
| Bat/Throw: | R/R |
|---|---|
| Height: | 5' 8" |
| Weight: | 195 |
| Born: | 1887-10-8 at San Francisco, CA (US) |
| Died: | 1961-12-17 at San Francisco, CA (US) |
| Interred: | Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA (US) |
| More info | |
| Statistics: | Retrosheet |
|---|---|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Ping Bodie | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
Ping Bodie's real name was Francesco Stefano Pezzolo. He took the name Bodie from a place where he lived in California. The name "Ping" came from the sound of his 52-ounce bat hitting the baseball.
Ping was no superstar but colorful. In 1910 his 30 home runs in the dead ball era with San Francisco Seals impressed the Chicago White Sox who drafted him. During his four year stay with Chicago his best year was 1912 when he hit .294 with five home runs. In 1914 he only hit for .229 with only 3 home runs. It was back the to the San Francisco Seals in 1915 and 1916, both years he hit over .300, then it was back to the majors with the Philadelphia Athletics. He hit .291 with eight home runs. Ping then spent the next four years with the New York Yankees and roomed with Babe Ruth.
In 1921 Ping only played in 31 games with the Yankees, then dropped back into the minors. His final season was 1928 with the San Francisco Missions of the Pacific Coast league.
Sources
- Who's Who in Professional Baseball. New Rochelle,NY: Arlington House, 1973.
Sources
- "Introducing Newcomers In Texas League: Frank Bodie". San Antonio Express, 1925-02-22.
