Marker To Honor Local Baseball Legend

FALCONER — A historical marker is set to be installed in Falconer in recognition of Hugh Bedient — the prolific baseball player known for one time striking out 42 players in a single game while playing semi-pro ball and later winning the World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

The marker will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Monday behind the backstop at the Falconer Park baseball field on Mosher Street. Members of the Falconer Village Board will take part in the ceremony prior to their board meeting.

Bedient, born in 1889 in the town of Gerry, graduated from Falconer High School and played baseball at the park where the marker will be displayed. He made headlines when, in 1908 and a member of the semi-pro Falconer Independents, struck out a world-record 42 batters during a 23-inning game against a team from nearby Corry, Pa.

The Jamestown Evening Journal proclaimed in its July 27, 1908, edition: “Broke All Records. Bedient of Falconer struck out 42 men.”

The Corry paper wrote: “Corry and Falconer Make World’s Record.”

The story was eventually picked up by the wire services, resulting in 19 offers from professional baseball organizations.

Bedient signed a contract and ended up with the Boston Red Sox. He made his Major League debut in 1912, winning 20 games as a rookie. In the 1912 World Series he pitched 18 innings in four games compiling a minuscule 0.50 ERA. He defeated the great Christy Mathewson in the pivotal game five, 2-1, tossing a three-hitter.

He played for Boston from 1912 to 1914, then jumped to Buffalo of the Federal League in 1915 to play closer to home.

Bedient played minor league baseball in 1916 for Toledo, served four years in the military, then resumed his professional career from 1921-1925.

After his professional playing days ended, Bedient returned to Chautauqua County and played semi-pro baseball, primarily for the Jamestown Spiders, into his late 40s.

He died in July 1965 at the age of 75 and was inducted posthumously into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame and the village, the historical marker — made possible through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation — will be Falconer’s first, said Mayor Jim Jaroszynski. The marker will read: “Hugh C. Bedient, 1889-1965, Falconer High School graduate who played baseball at this park, 1912 World Series Champion, pitched for Boston Red Sox, William G. Pomeroy Foundation, 2019.”

Added Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame president Randy Anderson: “We are pleased to work with the village and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to honor the significant baseball accomplishments of one of our inductees and one of Falconer’s favorite sons.”

Jaroszynski said additional historical markers are being planned to recognize other notable residents, buildings and events.

Scott Kindberg contributed to this story.