He never really expected it to happen --but now that it has, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Al Martin isn't complaining.

"For me, baseball was taken up by accident," Martin said. "I didn't play much baseball growing up. I didn't play until my last year in high school."

The West Covina, Calif., native is making the most of his major league baseball experience. Martin just completed his rookie season with the Bucs.

Yesterday, Martin and fellow teammate Steve Cooke visited Happy Valley to sign autographs at the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave., and to attend the Penn State-Vermont basketball game. The trip to State College was a stop on the Pirates' caravan, a promotional venture by the Pittsburgh franchise.

"It gives us a chance to get to know some of the Pirate fans at Penn State University," Martin said. "It's a good thing for us and we're happy that we got a chance to come down here."

And Martin is happy with his success thus far in Pittsburgh. Last season, the 26-year-old batted .281 and drove in 64 runs. He led all rookies in runs scored and ranked second among NL rookies in home runs behind Los Angeles' Mike Piazza.

"I just want to go out and be the best player I can be, and help bring the title to Pittsburgh," Martin said. "I want to free my mind and just get ready for next year."

Cooke also completed his first full season with the Pirates in 1993. The 23-year-old was a three-sport star at Tigard High School in Oregon, before signing with the Pittsburgh organization in 1989. He was an All-State athlete in baseball, basketball and football.

"Baseball was always my least favorite sport," Cooke said. "But, I think as I got older and into college, I knew that baseball was probably my ticket to the pro level. I'm here today through a lot of hard work and effort."

Cooke's work ethic has paid off for him in Pittsburgh. The left-hander led all major league rookie pitchers in games started, innings pitched and strikeouts.

Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare also made the trip with Martin and Cooke to central Pennsylvania. The 1994 season will mark Frattare's 20th year as a broadcaster with the Bucs.

In addition to his duties with Pittsburgh, the native of Rochester, N.Y., has done play-by-play for the Nittany Lion football team over the Penn State Sports Network. He worked at the University before current broadcast personality Bill Zimpfer took the microphone.

"I did two (seasons) of Penn State football and loved the association with the University and with Joe Paterno. It was a great experience. I was honored that they asked me to do some games."