Instead, Stephani scouted high school athletes with major league prospects, and eventually signed Pettit for $85,000.

Although his performance was disappointing, it is not considered to have been the result of a lack of talent or an error on the part of the scouts, but was mainly due to an arm injury.

Pettit was eventually forced to give up pitching and was sent down to the Salinas Packers of the California League, where he played outfield.

In 1957, Pettit returned to the Hollywood Stars, replacing future Pirate Slugger Dick Stuart.

[1] Pettit attended college during his baseball career, and by the time he stopped playing, earned a degree in Physical Education from Cal State Long Beach.

[1] He managed the minor league Dubuque Royals in 1968, after which he returned to coaching high school baseball in Lawndale, California.