A SPECIAL REPORT: VALLEY BASEBALL

Arms Race

Pitchers Bret Saberhagen of the Colorado Rockies and Jack McDowell of the Cleveland Indians are the highest-paid local players in the major leagues. . . . Saberhagen, from Cleveland High, earns $5.6 million this season, and McDowell, of Notre Dame High, is in the first year of a two-year, $10.15-million contract.

Rockin’ Dude

McDowell has a reputation as an eccentric. . . . He made an obscene gesture at booing New York fans when he was with the Yankees last season, and he plays in a rock band called Stickfigure.

Comeback Kid

Former Simi Valley High standout Scott Radinsky, out of baseball a year battling Hodgkin’s disease, has regained his form as a Dodgers’ relief pitcher. The left-hander was reminded of how fortunate he is to be pitching again after seeing pitcher Matt LaChappa of Class-A Rancho Cucamonga collapse from a heart attack last month. “It’s something I’ll never forget,� Radinsky said. LaChappa, 20, remains in a coma.

The Greatest

Who’s the best major leaguer in area history? Easy. Robin Yount, best field player, and Don Drysdale, best pitcher. Yount, who attended Taft High, is expected to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, after collecting 3,142 hits during a 20-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers. The late Drysdale played at Van Nuys High before becoming a Hall of Fame pitcher with the Dodgers.