The Virgil Jester chapter in Denver’s baseball history has closed.
Randy Jester, Virgil’s son, announced Tuesday that his dad died of pneumonia early Monday morning in a care center. Virgil Jester, 88, came out of Denver North High School and became a fixture in Denver baseball. Randy Jester said there will be no services.
During his career, Virgil Jester played three seasons with the Denver Bears and played in the major leagues with the Braves, first in Boston and then Milwaukee. He started as an infielder but was quickly moved to the pitching mound because his fastball reached speeds into the 90 mph range.
Jester signed a contract with the Boston Braves in 1947 for $2,500. As he looked back on his career a few years ago, he said he was born 55 years too soon, missing the big salaries that came to major-league baseball.
Jester pitched in the old Denver Post tournament at Merchants Park on South Broadway. He once pitched against Hall of Famer Satchel Paige.
Jester compiled a major-league record of 3-5 in 21 games with a 3.84 ERA.
Jester retired from baseball after the 1959 season. He was back with the Bears for his final year.
“That was the end of it,” Jester said of his baseball career. “I got tired of it. I enjoyed baseball for a while, but it was time to get out of it and go on with my life.”
