Lester Bedford returns for his second season with the Spirits (45+) squad in 2023. Bedford, often an opponent and playing on prominent teams including the Cardinals and Redbirds in both DFW-ABA and NTABL leagues, found himself available for 45-play and the Spirits were happy to obtain his services and skills.
A veteran catcher with years of experience playing the game, Bedford started off his playing career at Everman High School in Everman, Texas. Lester went on to play college level baseball at Texas Wesleyan University before becoming the oldest rookie in professional baseball in 2004. At age 49, he caught for the El Paso Diablos (now Chihuahuas) against the Pensacola Pelicans in a regular season, American Association League game.
Bedford’s baseball experience includes being an All-Star catcher 22 years in a row in DFW-ABA league action and in various age groups. He played on 18 DFW-ABA League Championship Teams in several different age groups, and won 9 MSBL World Series championship rings, and 2 Roy Hobbs World Series championship rings. In 2019, at age 62, Bedford led the DFW-ABA 40/over league in hitting after finishing with a .543 average.
Bedford hit for .247 in his first season as a Spirits, finishing with 9 hits including a double. Lester tied for a team-high 11 walks and added 8 runs batted in over 17 games played.
Lester has spent 43 years in the Sports Management/Marketing business industry, including Professional Boxing, NBA Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, Arena Football, Soccer, and Tennis. He is mostly noted for the management/marketing of more than 600 professional Boxing events, 200 of which were World Championship events. Additionally, Bedford has represented (as an agent), 3 World Champion boxers and 18 Major League Baseball players. He is also serves President of the Texas Boxing Hall of Fame.
He has 2 daughters, a son, and 2 grandchildren. He was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and now resides in Plano. For many years, Lester was feared as one of the leagues top hitters but defense was always the best part of his game and his focus. He was once told by a league president and team manager that he likely threw out more runners than the rest of the catchers in the league (combined) over the years. Making pick-off moves and throwing out greedy runners has always been one of Lester’s best traits and favorite things to do. He loves keeping base runners in check. Even at the young age of 62, Lester still possess good speed and being a left-handed hitter has always been an advantage.
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Spirits (42+) Individual Stats
Spirits (Fall 42+) Individual Stats
