San Juan, Puerto Rico – November 9, 2025
The Puerto Rico Sports Journalists Association (APDPUR) and the Zorrilla family officially announce that the 2025 Pedrín Zorrilla Award will be presented to distinguished Puerto Rican baseball player Javier Baez.
This announcement is made in observance of the 120th anniversary of the birth of Pedro “Pedrín” Zorrilla Porrata, a historic figure in Puerto Rican sports, former player, sports advocate, and founder of the Cangrejeros de Santurce professional baseball franchise.
The award recognizes Báez’s outstanding career in professional baseball, his contributions to the sport, and his achievements in Major League Baseball (MLB). In 2025, Báez was selected as the staring center fielder for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game, becoming the first player in MLB history to start the midseason classic at both shortstop and in the outfield. He also joins a select group of players who have started the All-Star Game at three different positions, alongside Albert Pujols, Pete Rose, and Harmon Killebrew.
Up to the All-Star break, Báez recorded 259.2 errorless innings in center field, reaffirming his elite defensive performance and exceptional versatility.
“Javier Báez represents the commitment, discipline, and pride that define the Puerto Rican ballplayer. His ability to adapt, evolve, and excel at the highest level of competitive baseball honors the sporting tradition we uphold. Presenting him with the 2025 Pedrín Zorrilla Award recognizes not only his achievements, but also his impact and legacy on and off the field.”
— Hiram Vega Pérez, President, APDPUR
“For our family, preserving the memory and sporting values represented by Pedrín Zorrilla is a lifelong commitment. We are pleased that this recognition is awarded to Javier Báez, an athlete who has demonstrated excellence, passion, and a deep sense of identity. His career reflects the spirit of perseverance and dedication that distinguished Pedrín in his era.”
Who was Pedrín Zorrilla?
He was born in Manatí, Puerto Rico on November 9 the 1905. He is remembered as the founder and owner of the “Santurce Cangrejeros” Baseball Club, one of the most popular and beloved franchises of the Puerto Rico professional baseball. He was a friend and companion of his players. Pedrín and his Cangrejeros played a leading role in the golden age of our national sport. In addition to playing semi-professional baseball before 1938, Zorrilla was a scout for several major league teams, primarily for the San Francisco Giants for more than 20 years and then the Chicago Cubs. His knowledge of the game and ability to recognize talent led him to sign players like Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Rubén Gómez, Juan Pizarro, José Pagán, Julio Navarro, Henry Cotto, Carmelo Martínez and many others.
His professional relations with organized baseball in the United States was a key factor in the development of baseball in Puerto Rico. He was admired and respected in the upper echelons of said baseball. That made it easier to bring players like Willie Mays,
Josh Gibson, Billy Byrd, Willard Brown, Bob Thurman, Buster Clarkson, Tom Lasorda, and others to Puerto Rico to play with the Cangrejeros.
He was also member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from 1961 to 1968. However, it was his qualities as an upright person and of high moral principles that led him to be admired and respected by all. This may have been his best legacy.
(Foto:Cortesía – Baseball Ahora/ Chris González )
