Terry Pendleton
Encyclopedia
Terry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman
in Major League Baseball
, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves
. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals
and Atlanta Braves
, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins
, Cincinnati Reds
, and Kansas City Royals
. During his fifteen year career, he went to the World Series
five times, yet his team never won a championship.
n. As a result, Pendleton had his jersey retired in 2007, alongside the jerseys of Tex Clevenger
and Jimy Williams
. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
in the seventh round of the 1982 amateur draft, and subsequently signed with the team on June 12, 1982.
With little haste after his signing, Pendleton's minor league campaign began with the Johnson City Cardinals
and the St. Petersburg Cardinals during the 1982 season. Pendleton impressed the organization enough to warrant being moved up to class AA baseball with the Arkansas Travelers
for the 1983 season. He was selected to the league's all star team for his performance at Arkansas. Making steady progress, Pendleton was promoted to class AAA in 1984 and played for the Louisville Redbirds. After four games at second base, Pendleton was moved to third and became a third baseman
, the position he would play the rest of his career. The Cardinals were so impressed with Pendleton's development as a third baseman in Louisville that they traded their starting third baseman, Ken Oberkfell
, to the Atlanta Braves
and temporarily placed Andy Van Slyke
at third base while Pendleton continued to gain experience. However, when Van Slyke committed seven errors in thirty games, the Cardinals promoted Pendleton to the majors and began his major league career as the starting third baseman.
. Batting sixth in the lineup, he made an immediate impact, getting three hits
in 5 at-bats en route to an 8–4 victory for the Cardinals. In 67 games during the 1984 St. Louis Cardinals season
, Pendleton had a .324 batting average
, 20 stolen base
s, and finished tied for seventh in Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting. The 1985 St. Louis Cardinals season
saw Pendleton remain in the starting lineup at third base. His batting average trailed off, as he only hit .240 for the season and was caught stealing 12 times to go along with 17 stolen bases for the season. The Cardinals advanced to the 1985 World Series
, and Pendleton ended up hitting the Cardinals' only triple, doing so in the Cardinals' 3–0 game 4 win. His statline for the 1986 St. Louis Cardinals season
was only modestly better. His batting average remained low at .239 and he only hit a single home run, but he was able to steal 24 bases, hit 26 doubles
and 5 triples
. St. Louis management became disappointed with Pendleton after this season, but manager Whitey Herzog
pointed out to them that it was his baserunning and fielding (he led the National League
in putout
s and assists) that made him vital to the team's success.
Pendleton answered front office criticism in his best season to date, the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals season
. He improved in many statistical aspects in which he was struggling, including raising his batting average to a respectable .286. He was a strong contributor to the team's pennant win, placing second on the team in home run
s, third in runs batted in, and tied for third in stolen bases. Pendleton's fielding efforts led to his earning his first Gold Glove, the first by a Cardinal third baseman since Ken Reitz
in 1975, as well as finishing tied for 17th in MVP voting. Unfortunately, as the Cardinals reached the 1987 World Series
to play the Minnesota Twins
, Pendleton ended up sidelined for most of the series with a ribcage injury. Despite this injury, Pendleton's switch-hitting ability meant that he was able to be used as a left-handed designated hitter
during three of the four games the Cardinals played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
. He finished the series by playing 3 games, getting 3 hits on 7 at-bats as the Cardinals fell in 7 games for the second time in three years.
As the 1988 St. Louis Cardinals season
began, Pendleton seemed to struggle where he had flourished. Despite earning 80 stolen bases in his first four seasons, he only stole three bases the whole season, and in fact went the rest of his career without stealing more than ten. Injuries also plagued him in 1988, as he missed a few weeks with a right hamstring injury, and had arthroscopic surgery in mid-September which cut his season short. Despite this, Pendleton hoped to rebound for the 1989 St. Louis Cardinals season
. Rebounding was exactly what he did, as he played in all 162 games for the only times in his career, finished ninth in hits with 162, and earned his second Gold Glove with an impressive .971 fielding percentage
. Despite an impressive 1989 season, Pendleton struggled during the 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season
. His overall production decline that season, as evident by his .230 batting average and .277 on base percentage
, as well as splitting time with rookie Todd Zeile
by the end of the season. After the season ended, Zeile appeared to be the third baseman of the future for the Cardinals, and Pendleton became a free agent.
. Assuming command of a last-place team, Schuerholz went to work and recruited half of a new infield by first signing Sid Bream
to a contract, then getting Pendleton to sign a four year, $10.2 million contract with the Atlanta Braves
on December 3, 1990. With a new team and a new contract, Pendleton went to work by having a career year during the 1991 Atlanta Braves season
, and led the Braves from a sixth place finish the year prior to a division title, as well as a pennant. He had his best individual season, finishing with a .319 batting average and 187 hits, both of which led the National League. He also hit a career-high 22 home runs and a career-high eight triples. Despite his impressive statline, Pendleton was not selected for the All-Star Game. He was, however, named the National League MVP, edging out Barry Bonds
by only 15 points. Pendleton also won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award
due to his statistical improvements. Pendleton's statline in the 1991 World Series
(a rematch for him against the Twins), the third series he played in, was also impressive. He went 11 for 30 and hit two home runs, starting at third for all seven games. In game seven of the series, Pendleton hit a double in the eighth inning that should have scored a run, however Lonnie Smith
did not advance home, and a double play to end the inning kept the score at 0-0, leading to the Braves' eventual game seven defeat, and Pendleton's third game seven world series loss in a row.
As the 1992 Atlanta Braves season
rolled around, Pendleton remained in peak form. In 160 games, Pendleton had a .311 average, 21 home runs, and scored 94 runs. He had 105 RBIs, which ranked second in the National League and marked the only time he passed 100 RBIs in his career, and he had 199 hits, which was good for the National League lead, as well as a career high total. He also finished second in the National League in at bats with 640, earned his only bid to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, and also won his third Gold Glove at third base (the first by a Brave third baseman since Clete Boyer
in 1969) en route to the Braves making their second World Series appearance in a row. However, despite a 6 for 25 showing by Pendleton, the Braves fell to the Toronto Blue Jays
in six games, losing all four games by one run. This marked Pendleton's fourth World Series loss in four attempts. Pendleton continued to produce extra base hits during the 1993 Atlanta Braves season
, hitting 17 home runs and 33 doubles. However, he appeared to be showing signs of slowing down, as although he placed second in at bats with 633, he led the National League in outs with 490. His batting average of .272 was notably lower than his previous two seasons, and his luck did not fare any better as the 1994 Atlanta Braves season
rolled around. He spent part of the season on the disabled list due to spasms in his neck and back, and after only hitting .252 for the season, opted for free agency.
on April 7, 1995. Pendleton improved his batting average to .290, and hit 14 home runs while playing in 133 games. Pendleton went on to play 111 games for the Marlins in 1996, hitting .251 with seven home runs. After spending the 1995
and most of the 1996
on the Marlins, he was traded back to the Braves due to the Braves being battered by injuries. Right fielder David Justice
was lost for the season with a shoulder separation in May, and shortstop Jeff Blauser
suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed some time. As a result, acquiring Pendleton meant Chipper Jones
could play at his natural shortstop position while Pendleton played third. Pendleton was traded to the Braves on August 13, 1996 for minor league prospect Roosevelt Brown
. He went on to play in the 1996 World Series
, the fifth in his career. However, he was used only in a limited role en route to the New York Yankees
beating the Braves in six games, leaving Pendleton 0-for-5 in his chances for a World Series ring.
The Braves let him go after the 1996 season, and he signed on with the Cincinnati Reds
on January 27, 1997. However, he was released on July 24, 1997, after hitting .248 with one home run and two stolen bases. He was released due to three stints on the disabled list, and instead of joining another club, he spent the rest of the season recovering. He signed on to the Kansas City Royals
on January 20, 1998 with the club looking to provide leadership and mentoring for its younger players. Pendleton was used in a limited role, backing up Dean Palmer. He played 79 games in 1998, splitting time between the designated hitter
position and third base. After the 1998 season ended, Pendleton retired after 15 major league seasons, deciding to spend more time with his family.
. Pendleton served in that role through the 2010 season. In 2006 he was on a short list of people to replace Frank Robinson
as manager of the Washington Nationals
, only to withdraw himself from consideration a few weeks into the process. He was also reportedly one of the frontrunners to be the next St. Louis Cardinals' manager before current manager Tony La Russa
decided to stay with the Cardinals. He was a candidate to replace Bobby Cox when the esteemed Braves manager retired at the end of the 2010 season.
When Fredi Gonzalez
was announced as Braves manager after the 2010 season, Terry Pendleton was moved from hitting coach to 1st base coach, replacing Glenn Hubbard
.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. During his fifteen year career, he went to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
five times, yet his team never won a championship.
Pre-Major League career
Terry Pendleton started his baseball career as an Eastside Little League player, then moved on to play [second baseman] at Channel Islands High, then moved on to a collegiate baseball career at Fresno State. He played the 1981 and 1982 seasons with the Bulldogs, and was a key contributor to the team's fourth consecutive conference title in the 1982 season when he set a school record with 98 hits. That feat led to his recognition as an All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n. As a result, Pendleton had his jersey retired in 2007, alongside the jerseys of Tex Clevenger
Tex Clevenger
Truman Eugene "Tex" Clevenger is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher/spot starter who played for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees from 1954-1962. He was 6'1" tall and 180 pounds, and threw and batted right-handed. He attended Fresno State...
and Jimy Williams
Jimy Williams
James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...
. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the seventh round of the 1982 amateur draft, and subsequently signed with the team on June 12, 1982.
With little haste after his signing, Pendleton's minor league campaign began with the Johnson City Cardinals
Johnson City Cardinals
The Johnson City Cardinals are a rookie league team based in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Cardinals are affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and play with the Appalachian League, of which they are currently the two-time defending champions. The team plays its home games at Howard...
and the St. Petersburg Cardinals during the 1982 season. Pendleton impressed the organization enough to warrant being moved up to class AA baseball with the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
for the 1983 season. He was selected to the league's all star team for his performance at Arkansas. Making steady progress, Pendleton was promoted to class AAA in 1984 and played for the Louisville Redbirds. After four games at second base, Pendleton was moved to third and became a third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, the position he would play the rest of his career. The Cardinals were so impressed with Pendleton's development as a third baseman in Louisville that they traded their starting third baseman, Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
, to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and temporarily placed Andy Van Slyke
Andy Van Slyke
Andrew James Van Slyke is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and former first base coach for the Detroit Tigers.-Career:...
at third base while Pendleton continued to gain experience. However, when Van Slyke committed seven errors in thirty games, the Cardinals promoted Pendleton to the majors and began his major league career as the starting third baseman.
St. Louis Cardinals
Pendleton made his major league debut on July 18, 1984 against the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Batting sixth in the lineup, he made an immediate impact, getting three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 5 at-bats en route to an 8–4 victory for the Cardinals. In 67 games during the 1984 St. Louis Cardinals season
1984 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 1984 season was the team's 103rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 93rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East, 12½ games behind their arch-rivals, the Chicago Cubs...
, Pendleton had a .324 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 20 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and finished tied for seventh in Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting. The 1985 St. Louis Cardinals season
1985 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 1985 season was the team's 104th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 94th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 101-61 during the season and finished in first place in the National League East division by three games over the New York Mets...
saw Pendleton remain in the starting lineup at third base. His batting average trailed off, as he only hit .240 for the season and was caught stealing 12 times to go along with 17 stolen bases for the season. The Cardinals advanced to the 1985 World Series
1985 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...
, and Pendleton ended up hitting the Cardinals' only triple, doing so in the Cardinals' 3–0 game 4 win. His statline for the 1986 St. Louis Cardinals season
1986 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1986 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 105th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 95th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 79-82 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division.-Offseason:...
was only modestly better. His batting average remained low at .239 and he only hit a single home run, but he was able to steal 24 bases, hit 26 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 5 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
. St. Louis management became disappointed with Pendleton after this season, but manager Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
pointed out to them that it was his baserunning and fielding (he led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s and assists) that made him vital to the team's success.
Pendleton answered front office criticism in his best season to date, the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals season
1987 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1987 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 106th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 96th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95-67 during the season and finished first in the National League East Division for the third and last time before moving to the NL Central in 1994....
. He improved in many statistical aspects in which he was struggling, including raising his batting average to a respectable .286. He was a strong contributor to the team's pennant win, placing second on the team in home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, third in runs batted in, and tied for third in stolen bases. Pendleton's fielding efforts led to his earning his first Gold Glove, the first by a Cardinal third baseman since Ken Reitz
Ken Reitz
Kenneth John Reitz is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. A right-handed hitter, Reitz played for the St...
in 1975, as well as finishing tied for 17th in MVP voting. Unfortunately, as the Cardinals reached the 1987 World Series
1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
to play the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Pendleton ended up sidelined for most of the series with a ribcage injury. Despite this injury, Pendleton's switch-hitting ability meant that he was able to be used as a left-handed designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
during three of the four games the Cardinals played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
. He finished the series by playing 3 games, getting 3 hits on 7 at-bats as the Cardinals fell in 7 games for the second time in three years.
As the 1988 St. Louis Cardinals season
1988 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1988 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 107th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 97th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 76-86 during the season and finished 5th in the National League East division.-Offseason:...
began, Pendleton seemed to struggle where he had flourished. Despite earning 80 stolen bases in his first four seasons, he only stole three bases the whole season, and in fact went the rest of his career without stealing more than ten. Injuries also plagued him in 1988, as he missed a few weeks with a right hamstring injury, and had arthroscopic surgery in mid-September which cut his season short. Despite this, Pendleton hoped to rebound for the 1989 St. Louis Cardinals season
1989 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 1989 season was the team's 108th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 98th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 86-76 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division....
. Rebounding was exactly what he did, as he played in all 162 games for the only times in his career, finished ninth in hits with 162, and earned his second Gold Glove with an impressive .971 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. Despite an impressive 1989 season, Pendleton struggled during the 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season
1990 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:...
. His overall production decline that season, as evident by his .230 batting average and .277 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, as well as splitting time with rookie Todd Zeile
Todd Zeile
Todd Edward Zeile is a former catcher, third baseman, and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1989 to . After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a catcher, Zeile played for 11 Major League teams during his career: the St...
by the end of the season. After the season ended, Zeile appeared to be the third baseman of the future for the Cardinals, and Pendleton became a free agent.
Atlanta Braves
After Pendleton was granted free agency on November 5, 1990, the Braves were undergoing a similar overhaul, as they acquired a new general manager in John SchuerholzJohn Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
. Assuming command of a last-place team, Schuerholz went to work and recruited half of a new infield by first signing Sid Bream
Sid Bream
Sidney Eugene "Sid" Bream is an American former Major League Baseball player. He played his entire 11-year career in the National League...
to a contract, then getting Pendleton to sign a four year, $10.2 million contract with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on December 3, 1990. With a new team and a new contract, Pendleton went to work by having a career year during the 1991 Atlanta Braves season
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
, and led the Braves from a sixth place finish the year prior to a division title, as well as a pennant. He had his best individual season, finishing with a .319 batting average and 187 hits, both of which led the National League. He also hit a career-high 22 home runs and a career-high eight triples. Despite his impressive statline, Pendleton was not selected for the All-Star Game. He was, however, named the National League MVP, edging out Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
by only 15 points. Pendleton also won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award
MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award
The Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by Major League Baseball to the player who is judged to have "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season." The award was developed in 2005, as part of a sponsorship agreement between MLB and Viagra...
due to his statistical improvements. Pendleton's statline in the 1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
(a rematch for him against the Twins), the third series he played in, was also impressive. He went 11 for 30 and hit two home runs, starting at third for all seven games. In game seven of the series, Pendleton hit a double in the eighth inning that should have scored a run, however Lonnie Smith
Lonnie Smith
Lonnie Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He made his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on September 2, 1978 and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles...
did not advance home, and a double play to end the inning kept the score at 0-0, leading to the Braves' eventual game seven defeat, and Pendleton's third game seven world series loss in a row.
As the 1992 Atlanta Braves season
1992 Atlanta Braves season
The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title....
rolled around, Pendleton remained in peak form. In 160 games, Pendleton had a .311 average, 21 home runs, and scored 94 runs. He had 105 RBIs, which ranked second in the National League and marked the only time he passed 100 RBIs in his career, and he had 199 hits, which was good for the National League lead, as well as a career high total. He also finished second in the National League in at bats with 640, earned his only bid to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, and also won his third Gold Glove at third base (the first by a Brave third baseman since Clete Boyer
Clete Boyer
Cletis Leroy "Clete" Boyer was a Major League Baseball player.A third baseman who also played shortstop and second base occasionally, Boyer played for the Kansas City Athletics , New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
in 1969) en route to the Braves making their second World Series appearance in a row. However, despite a 6 for 25 showing by Pendleton, the Braves fell to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in six games, losing all four games by one run. This marked Pendleton's fourth World Series loss in four attempts. Pendleton continued to produce extra base hits during the 1993 Atlanta Braves season
1993 Atlanta Braves season
The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second...
, hitting 17 home runs and 33 doubles. However, he appeared to be showing signs of slowing down, as although he placed second in at bats with 633, he led the National League in outs with 490. His batting average of .272 was notably lower than his previous two seasons, and his luck did not fare any better as the 1994 Atlanta Braves season
1994 Atlanta Braves season
-Offseason:*October 15, 1993: Jerry Willard was released by the Atlanta Braves.*October 25, 1993: Marvin Freeman was released by the Atlanta Braves.*November 18, 1993: Jarvis Brown was selected off waivers by the Atlanta Braves from the San Diego Padres....
rolled around. He spent part of the season on the disabled list due to spasms in his neck and back, and after only hitting .252 for the season, opted for free agency.
Later career
Pendleton was granted free agency on October 24, 1994, and was picked up by the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
on April 7, 1995. Pendleton improved his batting average to .290, and hit 14 home runs while playing in 133 games. Pendleton went on to play 111 games for the Marlins in 1996, hitting .251 with seven home runs. After spending the 1995
1995 Florida Marlins season
The 1995 Florida Marlins season started off with the team trying to improve on their record from 1994. Their manager was Rene Lachemann. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium...
and most of the 1996
1996 Florida Marlins season
The 1996 Florida Marlins season began with the team trying to improve on their record from 1995. Their managers were Rene Lachemann, Cookie Rojas, and John Boles. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium...
on the Marlins, he was traded back to the Braves due to the Braves being battered by injuries. Right fielder David Justice
David Justice
David Christopher Justice is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , and Oakland Athletics .-Early life:David was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Robert and Nettie Justice...
was lost for the season with a shoulder separation in May, and shortstop Jeff Blauser
Jeff Blauser
Jeffrey Michael Blauser is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs from 1987 to 1999.-Career:...
suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed some time. As a result, acquiring Pendleton meant Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
could play at his natural shortstop position while Pendleton played third. Pendleton was traded to the Braves on August 13, 1996 for minor league prospect Roosevelt Brown
Roosevelt Brown (baseball)
Roosevelt Brown is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball and the Orix BlueWave in Japan. Brown ended his career after a season playing for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of...
. He went on to play in the 1996 World Series
1996 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 20, 1996 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkGame 1 and Game 2 were originally scheduled for Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, respectively. Rain on October 19, however, washed out Game 1. The schedule was moved up one day, with Game 1 and Game 2 rescheduled for...
, the fifth in his career. However, he was used only in a limited role en route to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
beating the Braves in six games, leaving Pendleton 0-for-5 in his chances for a World Series ring.
The Braves let him go after the 1996 season, and he signed on with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on January 27, 1997. However, he was released on July 24, 1997, after hitting .248 with one home run and two stolen bases. He was released due to three stints on the disabled list, and instead of joining another club, he spent the rest of the season recovering. He signed on to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
on January 20, 1998 with the club looking to provide leadership and mentoring for its younger players. Pendleton was used in a limited role, backing up Dean Palmer. He played 79 games in 1998, splitting time between the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
position and third base. After the 1998 season ended, Pendleton retired after 15 major league seasons, deciding to spend more time with his family.
Coaching career
After spending a couple years with his wife and three children, Pendleton got his first coaching job in November 2001 as the hitting coach of the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Pendleton served in that role through the 2010 season. In 2006 he was on a short list of people to replace Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
as manager of the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, only to withdraw himself from consideration a few weeks into the process. He was also reportedly one of the frontrunners to be the next St. Louis Cardinals' manager before current manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
decided to stay with the Cardinals. He was a candidate to replace Bobby Cox when the esteemed Braves manager retired at the end of the 2010 season.
When Fredi Gonzalez
Fredi González
Fredi Jesus González is the current manager of the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball. Gonzalez is also the former manager of the Florida Marlins 2007–2010. For the four years prior to 2007, he was third base coach for the Atlanta Braves.-Biography:Gonzalez grew up in Miami, Florida, where he...
was announced as Braves manager after the 2010 season, Terry Pendleton was moved from hitting coach to 1st base coach, replacing Glenn Hubbard
Glenn Hubbard (baseball)
Glenn Dee Hubbard is a former first base coach for the Atlanta Braves and second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1978 to 1989...
.