1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,000 This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons.com for more sports history. 2 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:12,000 This is Keith Morris of Sports Illustrated. My guest this week is the manager of the New York Mets, Gil Hodges. 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:17,000 Gil, you've got a very fine club to work with this year coming from the Washington Senators. 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:22,000 And how have you found it in the early days of baseball in the 1968 campaign? 5 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,000 Keith, I think it's very nice to be back in the National League. 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:31,000 And I'm very encouraged by the fact that, in my opinion, that the Mets have some real fine young ballplayers. 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:35,000 And it's just the question of giving them the experience that they need. 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:39,000 I think we're on the right track with the youth on the roster. 9 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,000 And I'm looking forward to bigger and better things for the New York Mets. 10 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:46,000 Gil, we had Ron Swirbode on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently. 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:51,000 And here's a boy with great potential. Have you been working with him or some of the other coaches? 12 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:58,000 No, we haven't, Keith. And I might say that was a wonderful story on Ron Swirbode in Sports Illustrated. 13 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:04,000 The thing is, to me, the first time I saw Ron Swirbode was in spring training of this year. 14 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:09,000 And I think that this boy has come on to be a real Major League ballplayer. 15 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,000 I feel that he hasn't reached his peak, near his peak as yet. 16 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:17,000 But he has a potential, in my opinion, to be a star in the National League. 17 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,000 You've got quite a nice young pitching staff, Tom Seaver, Jerry Kuzman, Nolan Ryan. 18 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,000 I guess that this is going to really help out finally. 19 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:28,000 Well, it should. I feel that all three of these boys are naturally, they're young. 20 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:34,000 They have real fine arms. And of course, Seaver was Rookie of the Year last year, winning 16 ball games for the Mets. 21 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,000 And this year, he's throwing the ball good. He's pitched well. 22 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:43,000 I think that Nolan Ryan and Jerry Kuzman have real fine arms. 23 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:48,000 And there again, I think, given the experience, they're going to be around for many, many years. 24 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,000 Keel Hodges, would you say the National League is a little stronger than the American League? 25 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:57,000 I wouldn't at this time, Keith, because at this particular time, I haven't seen all the clubs in the National League. 26 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:03,000 I think the American League is getting stronger. It showed it last year with the race that they had. 27 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:07,000 I think that the National League has been this way for many years. 28 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:12,000 But as far as to compare the leagues, I just am not in a position to do so at this time. 29 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,000 Which do you find more challenging, managing the Washington Senators or the New York Mets? 30 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:23,000 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. 31 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:29,000 And of course, what dictates the game that you play is the personnel that you have. 32 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:34,000 And I think it's a challenging position here. And I'm enjoying it very much. 33 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,000 I think the ball games that we played have been very interesting. 34 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:42,000 And we could have a much better record at this time if things had gone a little bit different for us. 35 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,000 But we're looking forward to better things from here on in. 36 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:50,000 Well, Gil Hodges, the Mets have got a great leader now. And we want to wish you the very best of luck. 37 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,000 Keith, thank you so much. 38 00:02:52,000 --> 00:03:07,000 This is Keith Morris with Sports Illustrated.