Howie Bedell – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Howie Bedell’s name doesn’t show up on any Hall of Fame plaques, but his spot in baseball history is secure thanks to one wild moment in 1968. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Bedell played only 67 games over six seasons in the majors, splitting time between the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

His stats? Pretty modest—a .198 batting average and just three RBIs. Still, Bedell did something that plenty of more famous players never managed.

On June 8, 1968, Bedell hit a sacrifice fly that snapped Don Drysdale’s legendary 58⅔ consecutive scoreless innings streak, forever tying the journeyman outfielder to one of baseball’s most iconic pitching records. That single at-bat against a future Hall of Famer turned Bedell, a minor league veteran, into a permanent part of baseball lore.

At 32, after years mostly in the minors, Bedell suddenly found himself at the center of the baseball world during his last season.

There’s more to his story than just that one headline moment. From his early days starring on a nationally known high school team in Pottstown to later coaching and working in front offices, Bedell’s journey through baseball stretches across decades.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Howie Bedell was born on September 29, 1935, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Later, his family moved to Pottstown, where he really honed his baseball skills.

His high school years at Pottstown High School were something special. He played on a team that made national headlines with an incredible winning streak.

Childhood in Clearfield and Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Howard William Bedell came into the world in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, a small town that shaped his early years. Born in 1935, he grew up surrounded by Pennsylvania’s baseball tradition.

Eventually, the Bedell family settled in Pottstown. This move turned out to be a big deal for Howie’s baseball development.

Pottstown sits about 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The town offered better organized baseball, with solid youth programs and a competitive high school scene.

Those programs became a launching pad for Bedell’s future. He got the chance to play regularly and develop his game.

Being part of both Clearfield and Pottstown let Bedell soak up the state’s deep baseball culture. Local leagues and teams gave him plenty of opportunities to get better.

High School Achievements

At Pottstown High School, Bedell’s talent started getting real attention. He became a standout on the school’s baseball team.

The highlight? Playing for Ed Good’s Pottstown squad that put together a jaw-dropping 48-game winning streak. That run brought national recognition and put everyone on notice.

The streak didn’t just boost the program—it made people take a closer look at players like Bedell. It was a defining chapter for Pottstown baseball.

Bedell’s performance during that run started turning heads among college scouts and pro teams. Suddenly, his future in baseball looked a lot brighter.

Influence of Early Coaches and Teams

Ed Good played the biggest role in Bedell’s amateur years. Good coached the Pottstown team through their 48-game win streak, and his approach left a mark on many players.

Bedell picked up the fundamentals under Good’s watch. The coach drilled teamwork and consistency into his players, lessons that stuck with Bedell throughout his career.

Good’s winning program created a competitive atmosphere. Players pushed each other every day, and Bedell learned the kind of mental toughness needed for pro baseball.

That national spotlight from the streak opened doors for Bedell. It set him up for chances at higher levels, and the foundation from those years carried him into the pros.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Howie Bedell’s major league career lasted six years, but he played just 67 games with two teams. He debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1962 and later suited up for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968, where he ended Don Drysdale’s famous scoreless streak.

Debut With the Milwaukee Braves

Bedell made his big league debut on April 10, 1962, with the Milwaukee Braves at 26. He’d signed with the Braves in 1957 and spent five seasons grinding through the minors.

In 1962, Bedell appeared in 58 games as an outfielder for Milwaukee. He batted .196 that year, which ended up being most of his major league playing time.

He stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 185 pounds, batting left and throwing right. His time with the Braves gave him valuable experience he carried forward.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

In 1968, Bedell joined the Philadelphia Phillies for his last major league season. The Phillies mostly used him as a pinch hitter, so his action was limited.

He played only nine games for Philadelphia that year. With fewer chances to hit, his stats took a dip compared to Milwaukee.

Bedell played his final major league game on July 4, 1968, just weeks after his most memorable moment. In total, he finished with 28 hits, 15 runs, and three RBIs across both teams.

Key Moments in the Big Leagues

The biggest moment of Bedell’s career happened on June 8, 1968. He broke Don Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly.

That sac fly was his only RBI of the 1968 season. It locked his name into baseball history, forever connected to a legendary pitching record.

Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 67
• Hits: 28
• Runs Scored: 15
• RBIs: 3
• Teams: Milwaukee Braves (1962), Philadelphia Phillies (1968)

Historic 1968 Season and Retirement

Howie Bedell’s final season in the majors turned out to be his most unforgettable. That crucial pinch-hit against Drysdale became the highlight.

He made his last MLB appearances with the Phillies before stepping away from professional baseball.

Pinch-Hitting Against Don Drysdale

On June 8, 1968, Bedell stepped up at Dodger Stadium for the at-bat that would define his career. The Phillies faced the Dodgers, and Drysdale was in the middle of a historic run.

Bedell came in as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning. He hit a sacrifice fly that brought Tony Taylor home, ending Drysdale’s streak at 58⅔ scoreless innings.

That was Bedell’s only RBI as a Phillie. Still, it was enough to cement his place in the game’s history books.

Breaking the Scoreless Innings Record

Drysdale had already broken Walter Johnson’s 55-year-old record for consecutive scoreless innings earlier that game. Johnson set his mark back in 1913.

Bedell’s sac fly stopped Drysdale from pushing the streak even further. That moment capped the run at 58⅔ innings.

It felt like a passing of the torch between baseball eras. Johnson’s record had lasted since the dead-ball days, and Bedell’s swing ended Drysdale’s streak in 1968’s “Year of the Pitcher.”

Final Major League Appearances

Bedell’s 1968 season with the Phillies was short but left a mark. He played in just nine games, picking up one hit in seven at-bats—good for a .143 average.

His last MLB game came on July 4, 1968, against the Cubs. Bedell didn’t get a hit in his final at-bat, closing out a big league career that stretched across two decades.

1968 Season Stats:

• Games: 9
• At-bats: 7
• Hits: 1
• RBIs: 1
• Batting Average: .143

Decision to Retire in 1968

At 32, Bedell decided to hang up his spikes after the 1968 season. Limited playing time with the Phillies and a long minor league journey probably made the choice easier.

Bedell logged nearly 1,400 minor league games over 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969. In the majors, he played 67 games, collected 28 hits, and drove in three runs with the Braves and Phillies.

Retirement closed a chapter for this Pennsylvania native. But Bedell didn’t leave the game—he moved into coaching and front-office roles with several MLB teams in the years to come.

Playing Style and Positions

Howie Bedell spent most of his time as a left fielder, though he also played some center field. His left-handed bat and defensive skills made him a handy utility guy for the Braves and Phillies.

Defensive Contributions in Left Field

Bedell played most of his 67 major league games in left field. He threw right-handed and batted left, which gave him a solid arm for throwing back to the infield.

His 6’1″, 185-pound frame helped him cover ground in left. He tracked down fly balls and made plays near the foul line.

The Braves relied on his defense in 1962, giving him regular time in the outfield. He appeared in 58 games that year, mainly in left.

His fielding kept him in the lineup during his Milwaukee days. The team counted on him as a steady glove in the outfield.

Roles in Center Field

Bedell also filled in at center field when needed. That kind of versatility made him a useful bench piece for managers.

Playing center showed off his range and speed. Center field covers more territory, and Bedell handled it well.

He moved between left and center without much trouble. That experience gave his teams options for late-game defense or injury fill-ins.

This positional flexibility added to his value. Teams liked having someone who could step into different roles.

Batting and Baserunning Abilities

Bedell hit left-handed and finished with a .193 career average over 67 games. He picked up 28 hits in the majors, with most coming during his 1962 season in Milwaukee.

His most famous plate appearance was on June 8, 1968, with the Phillies. Bedell’s sacrifice fly scored Tony Taylor and ended Drysdale’s record streak.

Career Offensive Statistics:

• Batting Average: .193
• Total Hits: 28
• Home Runs: 0
• RBIs: 3
• Runs Scored: 15

Bedell’s baserunning was decent, though nothing spectacular. He scored 15 runs in his career, nearly all with Milwaukee.

Later on, the Phillies used him mostly as a pinch hitter. He saw action in just nine games during his last season.

Post-Playing Career and Coaching Legacy

After his playing days, Bedell jumped straight into coaching and front office work, spending about 25 years in the game that way. He managed five different minor league teams and held important development jobs with four major league organizations, including coaching stints with the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners.

Minor League Managing Experience

Bedell started managing in the Phillies’ farm system right after he retired, leading teams from 1969 to 1971. He came back to managing from 1973 to 1974, still with the Phillies.

His managing career stretched across different decades and organizations. Bedell finished with 356 wins and 405 losses as a minor league manager.

He managed teams like:

• Walla Walla Bears
• Spartanburg Phillies
• Peninsula Phillies
• Bend Rockies
• Duluth-Superior Dukes

He kept managing through 1994, giving him over 20 years of experience in player development.

Farm System Leadership Roles

Bedell built his reputation in player development and soon moved into executive roles with major league teams. The Philadelphia Phillies named him farm director from 1979 to 1980.

He later took on the same job with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990 and 1991. In these roles, he oversaw entire minor league systems and managed player advancement.

In 1985, the Kansas City Royals brought him in as coordinator of player development. Then, in 1988, the Seattle Mariners gave him two jobs at once, making him both coordinator of player development and a field coach.

Bedell always pushed for fairness. “I always believed every player was my best,” he said when reflecting on his approach to developing players.

Major League Coaching Positions

Bedell coached at the major league level for two American League teams. The Kansas City Royals added him to their coaching staff in 1984.

Four years after that, he joined the Seattle Mariners as a coach in 1988. At the same time, he handled player development duties for the Mariners.

These coaching jobs marked the high point of his career after playing. He finally got to work directly with major league talent, which must have been satisfying after so many years in the minors.

Moving from farm system leadership into major league coaching really showed how much he understood player development at every stage.

Consulting and Current Activities

After he finished his formal coaching career, Bedell stayed involved in baseball by taking on consulting work. His deep background in player development made him a sought-after advisor.

These days, Bedell lives in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, not far from where he went to high school. He’s kept in touch with the local baseball scene since retiring.

He wrapped up his baseball management and coaching career in the mid-1990s. Even after that, his influence on player development stuck with the organizations he helped.

Over a 25-year span across several teams, Bedell built a reputation as a respected figure in baseball’s developmental world.

Honors, Legacy, and Impact on Baseball

Howie Bedell’s baseball journey earned him a spot in the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Maybe his most memorable moment in baseball history happened when he ended Don Drysdale’s legendary 58-inning scoreless streak back in 1968.

Chester County Sports Hall of Fame Induction

Bedell got formal recognition for his baseball achievements when the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2009. This honor covered his whole baseball career, including his years with the Milwaukee Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Hall of Fame noted a few standout moments. In 1961, Bedell tied the American Association record with a 43-game hitting streak. He also played for Ed Good’s Pottstown baseball team, which won 48 games in a row.

After his playing days ended, Bedell kept giving back to baseball by managing minor league teams and running the Phillies’ farm system. His front office work earned him three World Series rings, starting with his first in 1980.

Connection to Teammates and Managers

Bedell’s career put him alongside some big names in baseball. When he played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1962, he joined an organization known for churning out talent during a successful era.

During his brief time with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968, he made a bit of history. He only played nine games that season, but he delivered in a key moment against Don Drysdale.

On June 8, 1968, Bedell hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly that ended Drysdale’s famous streak. That swing gave him his only RBI of the 1968 season. Less than a month later, he played his last major league game.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Bedell’s sacrifice fly off Drysdale stands out as a quirky, unforgettable moment in baseball history. That hit snapped what a lot of people still call one of the sport’s wildest pitching streaks—58 straight scoreless innings.

Even now, at 85, Bedell finds fan mail in his mailbox about that one swing. It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it, how a single play can stick in people’s minds and pass down through generations?

His minor league stats tell you a lot about his love for the game. Over 13 seasons, from 1957 to 1969, Bedell played nearly 1,400 games, grinding it out as a classic journeyman who shaped baseball at every level he touched.