[7] Pettus began playing baseball in 1902 for the Albuquerque, New Mexico team, staying there until the end of the 1903 season.

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

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

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.

[1] During 1908–1909 he played for the Occidental Club, a black baseball team in Los Angeles, California.