Born in Clearfield PA on September 29, 1935, Bedell had an early taste of success as a member of Ed Good's legendary Pottstown High baseball program, which gained national exposure with a 48-game winning streak in the early days of the Ches-Mont League. The Trojans' run was finally stopped on May 11, 1954 by West Chester High. Pottstown, however, went on to claim its fifth consecutive league title.

From there, Bedell moved on to West Chester State Teachers College where he enjoyed great success as an outfielder under head coach Glenn Killinger. Bedell, who swung from the left side of the plate, was signed as an amateur free agent by the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 to begin his professional career.

He made his Major League debut with Phillies in April of 1962. The following season he returned to the minor leagues, where he spent the next six seasons. While in the American Association in 1961 Bedell posted a 43-game hitting streak.

He returned to the big leagues in 1968 for a brief but event eventful stay with the Phillies. On June 8, 1968, Bedell etched his name into history.

The Phils were in Los Angeles that day, taking on the Dodgers and Hall-of-Fame pitcher Don Drysdale, who was in the process of piecing together the longest scoreless-inning streak in Major League history.

The Dodgers led 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning when Tony Taylor led off the frame with a single. Catcher Clay Dalrymple singled Taylor to third to put runners at the corners with no outs. Drysdale then fanned Roberta Pena. Pitcher Larry Jackson was sceduled to hit next, but manager Gene Mauch inserted Bedell to pinch hit. Bedell flied out to left field to score Taylor and end Drysdale's historic run of scoreless innings at 58 2/3 innings - a record that stands to this day. Earlier in the game, Drysdale had broken Walter Johnson's streak of 56 consecutive scoreless innings set in 1913. It was Bedell's final career RBI. He played in his last Major League game a few weeks later on July 4.

After his playing career ended, Bedell served as a manager in the Phillies' farm system from 1969-1971 and from 1973-1974. He was also a coach with the Kansas City Royals in 1984 and the Seattle Mariners in 1988, and the farm director of the Cincinnati Reds from 1990-1991.

RETURN TO HALL OF FAMERS