Chick Pedroes

Charles F. Pedroes
real name Pedro

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown

• Debut August 21, 1902
• Final Game August 22, 1902
• Born October 27, 1869 in Havana, Cuba
• Died 1927 in Chicago, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Introduction

Chick Pedroes appeared briefly for the Chicago Orphans in 1902. Born in Cuba of a Cuban father and American mother, he moved to the U.S. at a very young age. His real last name was apparently "Pedro", and some sources list him as "Chick Pedro".

He was one of 15 players who appeared in right field for the Orphans that year.

Controversy

Pedroes is a somewhat controversial character through no fault of his own. He may be the first Latino-born player in the big leagues, if one doesn't count Steve Bellan's years in the National Association prior to the time that the National League was formed. Luis "Jud" Castro, who came to the majors slightly before Pedroes, was likely born in Colombia, but he may have been born in New York, NY. In any case, Pedroes is the first Cuban-born player in the National League.

Pedroes, however, came to the U.S. as a toddler and so didn't have the experience of being a Latin-trained ballplayer. And even though he was born in Cuba, he grew up in Chicago, IL and his given first name "Charles" gives a good sense that his parents were not too focused on his Latin heritage. He played minor league ball in Chicago as early as 1888.

It seems to be the general conclusion of baseball historians that Steve Bellan's credentials as the first Latino player are much more solid, and that his years in the National Association should be counted. However, it is pointed out that Bellan also was not a Latin-trained ballplayer, because he came to the U.S. while still a child (and later attended Fordham University). Thus, some historians would point to the group including Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans who came up in the era beginning in 1911, as the first players who were truly trained in baseball in the Latin world.