Lester Floyd Quinn

Lester Floyd "Letch" Quinn (July 7, 1898 – July 26, 1988) was an American baseball player, manager, umpire, politician, and law enforcement officer. He played a prominent role in Arizona's sports history and public infrastructure development during the mid-20th century. Quinn was notable for pioneering Arizona baseball, serving seven terms as Gila County Supervisor during the Great Depression, and chairing the Arizona State Highway Commission.

Early life and education Quinn was born in Safford, Arizona Territory on July 7, 1898, the second child of Allen McGee and Mary Quinn. As a youth, he engaged in agricultural labor and helped haul coke with his father across Arizona. In 1912, Quinn's family moved to Miami, Arizona, where they opened the Miami Bottling Works, which later burned down.

During the 1917 Globe-Miami miners' strike, Quinn was deputized by the Miami Police Department to maintain civil order.

Baseball career Following World War I, Quinn's baseball career flourished. From 1921 to 1922, he pitched for the Midway Gas Company team in the California Winter League, achieving 23 strikeouts in 11 innings and leading his team to the Winter League Championship.

Quinn pitched the first no-hit, no-run game in the league during a victory over Mesa on July 29, 1927. In 1928, he was voted "Arizona's Most Popular Player" by the league's players and fans. By 1930, Quinn transitioned to umpiring in the league.

In 1931, Quinn played for a Minor League Baseball team in Seattle in the Pacific Coast League. From 1932 to 1937, he managed the Arizona Edison Company baseball team, leading them to multiple victories in the Copper League.

Quinn was a strong advocate for road improvements, overseeing numerous paving projects in Miami, Claypool, Winkelman, and Hayden, often utilizing federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds.

Quinn also pushed for tax reductions in Gila County, achieving the lowest tax levy in county history by 1937. Additionally, he worked with Ernest McCray to improve roads on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in 1941.

Quinn spearheaded efforts to establish a modern hospital in Gila County, leading successful bond campaigns, though initial plans were delayed due to World War II. He oversaw operations at the historic Gila County Jail and contributed to high-profile investigations including homicide cases and fraud involving a missing Navy veteran.

Arizona State Highway Commission On April 22, 1957, Governor Ernest McFarland appointed Quinn to the Arizona State Highway Commission representing the 4th District, covering Navajo, Apache, and Gila counties. In 1959, Quinn was elected Chairman of the commission.

During his tenure, Quinn oversaw major infrastructure projects, including the dedication of Interstate 40 east of Winslow and the completion of the Glenn Canyon Bridge, which was the world's highest arch bridge at its completion.

Quinn also contributed to highway improvements through Salt River Canyon and resolved traffic bottlenecks in Globe shortly before the end of his commission term in 1960.

Additional projects credited to Quinn include construction and paving of bridges and roads in Ice House Canyon, Cottonwood Street, Warrior Canyon, and Broad Street in Claypool.

In 1971, Quinn was honored during the dedication of the Highway Heritage Display by the State of Arizona.

Quinn died on July 26, 1988, in Globe, Arizona, at age 90. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. His funeral was attended by notable Arizonans including Governor Rose Mofford, who credited Quinn with inspiring her political career.

In 2007, Quinn was posthumously inducted as the inaugural member of the Miami Sports Hall of Fame.