Hedlund was born in Dallas, Texas, and signed as an amateur free agent with the Cleveland Indians upon graduation from Arlington High School in 1964.

His finest start came on September 18 when he held the Oakland Athletics to just one run, and struck out eight to earn the complete game victory.

In 1971, the Royals boasted one of the most talented young starting rotations in the majors with Hedlund, Dick Drago and Paul Splittorff all under 27 years old.

After the season, Hedlund traveled to Vietnam with a group of Major League ballplayers on a tour of hospitals and military bases.

[5] The Indians intended to use Hedlund as a long reliever and spot starter, but he failed to make the club out of Spring training.