SPECIAL REPORT: BASEBALL

POSSIBILITIES: A key player in this year’s World Series, the Atlanta Braves’ Terry Pendleton, could have been an Angel. . . . In 1990, Anaheim needed a third baseman, and among the choices were free agents Pendleton and Gary Gaetti. The Angels, who were only mildly interested in Pendleton, went with Gaetti for $11.4 million. The returns? Gaetti has hit .237 in two seasons; Pendleton might win his second National League Most Valuable Player award.

Terry vs. Gary

Atlanta’s third baseman, Terry Pendleton, has outhit his Angel counterpart, Gary Gaetti, over the past two seasons. Batting average Gaetti: .237 Pendleton: .315 Home runs Gaetti: 30 Pendleton: 43 Runs batted in Gaetti: 114 Pendleton: 191 Source: Major League Baseball