Nov. 6, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - Former Bulldogs and major leaguers Terry Pendleton and Mark Gardner will be on-campus for the football game against Nevada. Both will appear at Bulldog Boulevard at 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 7 to meet fans and sign autographs.

"It's always great to have our former All-Americans return to campus," said Batesole. "It's what makes Fresno State such a special place. Mark Gardner and Terry Pendleton are highly respected as Major League players and as professional baseball men. We are proud of what they've done on the field and off."

During the 1985 season at Fresno State Gardner was named the MVP of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference and an All-American. As a senior, he won 16 games and struck out 187 batters, which is second most in Bulldog history. He was drafted in the 8th round by the Montreal Expos.

Gardner pitched in Major Leagues from 1989 to 2001. He currently is the bullpen coach for the San Francisco Giants. Gardner pitched for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, and the Giants.

In his professional career, Gardner pitched in 345 games, posting a record of 99-93 and a 4.56 ERA. He appeared in 275 of his 345 career games as a starter.

Pendleton led the Bulldogs in hitting during the 1982 season with a .397 batting average. He set a school record of 98 hits and was named an All-American. He was a 7th round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pendleton played third baseman in Major Leagues from 1984 to1998. He is the current hitting coach of the Atlanta Braves. Pendleton started his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pendleton played with the Cardinals for seven seasons, made two World Series appearances, and won two Gold Gloves.

Pendleton became a member of the Atlanta Braves and in his first season with Atlanta won the MLB Most Valuable Player. He joined the Marlins in 1995, only to return to Atlanta a season and half later.

Before his retirement in 1998, Pendleton managed to squeeze in a year each with both the Reds and Royals. During this fifteen year career, he went to the World Series five times.