Bedford becomes Central Leagues oldest rookie
August 9, 2005 - Central Baseball League (Central League)
El Paso Diablos News Release
EL PASO, TEXAS---It's been 26 years since Lester Bedford last played college baseball at Texas Wesleyan University, in Fort Worth. After graduating from Wesleyan and going undrafted his final year, he assumed his playing days and any opportunity to play professionally were over.
Today, the now 49-year-old Bedford will become Central Baseball League's, "Oldest Rookie" when he signs a professional contract with the El Paso Diablos. Bedford will sign on as a reserve catcher and be in uniform for the Diablos for tonight, August 9, and Wednesday night's games.
"I'm excited to be on the same field with all these good young players and look forward to the challenge," said Bedford, who's sports marketing firm, The Bedford Agency, manages and markets major boxing events throughout Texas, including several in El Paso. Bedford never considered after starting to play again was an opportunity to play in a professional game.
"When I was playing in college, I thought about it everyday and hoped for the opportunity, like all players," Bedford said, "I was thrilled when I recently found out they were going to put me in there. There are some really talented young players in the Central Baseball League and I totally respect them as quality professional players."
He is taking the opportunity seriously and has been working out daily for the past two months to prepare him self for the significant competition.
"I'm going to be in there playing hard and trying to contribute," he stated. "That's the competitive nature in me as a ballplayer."
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Central Baseball League Stories from August 9, 2005
- CBL game recap - Central League
- Sports-Edinburg rained out - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Bedford becomes Central Leagues oldest rookie - El Paso Diablos
- Aviators open series with home loss - Coastal Bend Aviators
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