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This is Keith Morris of Sports Illustrated. My guest this week is the manager of the New York Mets, Gil Hodges.
Gil, you've got a very fine club to work with this year coming from the Washington Senators.
And how have you found it in the early days of baseball in the 1968 campaign?
Keith, I think it's very nice to be back in the National League.
And I'm very encouraged by the fact that, in my opinion, that the Mets have some real fine young ballplayers.
And it's just the question of giving them the experience that they need.
I think we're on the right track with the youth on the roster.
And I'm looking forward to bigger and better things for the New York Mets.
Gil, we had Ron Swirbode on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently.
And here's a boy with great potential. Have you been working with him or some of the other coaches?
No, we haven't, Keith. And I might say that was a wonderful story on Ron Swirbode in Sports Illustrated.
The thing is, to me, the first time I saw Ron Swirbode was in spring training of this year.
And I think that this boy has come on to be a real Major League ballplayer.
I feel that he hasn't reached his peak, near his peak as yet.
But he has a potential, in my opinion, to be a star in the National League.
You've got quite a nice young pitching staff, Tom Seaver, Jerry Kuzman, Nolan Ryan.
I guess that this is going to really help out finally.
Well, it should. I feel that all three of these boys are naturally, they're young.
They have real fine arms. And of course, Seaver was Rookie of the Year last year, winning 16 ball games for the Mets.
And this year, he's throwing the ball good. He's pitched well.
I think that Nolan Ryan and Jerry Kuzman have real fine arms.
And there again, I think, given the experience, they're going to be around for many, many years.
Keel Hodges, would you say the National League is a little stronger than the American League?
I wouldn't at this time, Keith, because at this particular time, I haven't seen all the clubs in the National League.
I think the American League is getting stronger. It showed it last year with the race that they had.
I think that the National League has been this way for many years.
But as far as to compare the leagues, I just am not in a position to do so at this time.
Which do you find more challenging, managing the Washington Senators or the New York Mets?
Take your pick. I think when you manage any ball club, it's a challenge because you go out on the field with the thought of winning.
And of course, what dictates the game that you play is the personnel that you have.
And I think it's a challenging position here. And I'm enjoying it very much.
I think the ball games that we played have been very interesting.
And we could have a much better record at this time if things had gone a little bit different for us.
But we're looking forward to better things from here on in.
Well, Gil Hodges, the Mets have got a great leader now. And we want to wish you the very best of luck.
Keith, thank you so much.
This is Keith Morris with Sports Illustrated.