A SPECIAL REPORT: BASEBALL

FOR STARTERS: Want to make a major league starting rotation out of pitchers from the San Fernando Valley area? No problem. Start with three All-Stars. Bret Saberhagen of the New York Mets is from Cleveland High. Kevin Appier of the Kansas City Royals played at Antelope Valley High. Jack McDowell of the Chicago White Sox starred at Notre Dame High. . . . Add to that Saugus High’s Roger Salkeld, who figures to be a top rookie with the Seattle Mariners.

THE RIGHT TIME: This season could be the turning point for several area players. Third baseman Jeff Cirillo, of Providence High in Burbank, had the most hits of any Milwaukee Brewer minor leaguer last season, and he’s one step away from the majors. . . . Kennedy High’s Garret Anderson (Angels), Hart’s Andrew Lorraine (Angels), Chatsworth’s Rich Aude (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Cal State Northridge’s Craig Clayton (Seattle Mariners) are close too.

HE’LL MANAGE: The playing field isn’t the only place where Valley area products turn up in the professional ranks. Taft High product Kevin Kennedy, above, enters his second season as manager of the Texas Rangers. And former Crespi High standout Rick Dempsey is managing a Dodgers’ minor league team in Albuquerque.

THE OL’ COLLEGE TRY: Cal State Northridge has sent a handful of players to the majors, including Jeremy Hernandez, one of the Cleveland Indians’ top relief pitchers. . . . Former Matadors who played in the majors include Jason Thompson, Jim Vatcher, Gil Kubski and the late Lyman Bostock.

TOP THIS: Two players will be trying to match their career-best performances of 1993. Hart High’s Todd Zeile, the St. Louis Cardinal third baseman, batted .277 with 17 home runs and 103 runs batted in last season. Grant High’s Rod Beck, the San Francisco Giant relief pitcher, earned 48 saves, second best in baseball.

MISSING PERSON: Taft High’s Robin Yount retired, ending a brilliant 20-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers.