Bill Pettus

William Thomas Pettus (August 13, 1884 – August 22, 1924) was an American professional baseball first baseman in the Cuban League and Negro leagues. He played from 1902 to 1923 with several teams.

Career

Pettus began playing baseball in 1902 for the Albuquerque, New Mexico team, staying there until the end of the 1903 season. He often went by the nickname "Zack" Pettus.

In addition to baseball, in his twenties, Pettus made money boxing and working in the coal mine near Madrid, New Mexico.

Pitcher Babe Adams said of Pettus's early days, he was "one of the best catchers in the baseball world."

In 1904, Pettus played on the white teams of San Francisco and Oakland California, and was the only black player on those teams.

In 1905, he returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico to manage and captain the team, which was made up of ten Mexicans and two colored ball players. The team won 48 out of 49 games, losing only one.

In 1906, Pettus again was the only black player on a white team when he played for the Albuquerque, New Mexico team.

In 1907 and 1908, Pettus caught for the Santa Fe, New Mexico Salmon Grays. Pettus would play there for two seasons, touring much of the upper midwest.