Latest / Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History / 1968 • Baseball Clip • Interview with Gil Hodges - Radio

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1968 • Baseball Clip • Interview with Gil Hodges - Radio · Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History

• 0:00
  This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons.com for more sports history.
• 0:07
  This is Keith Morris of Sports Illustrated. My guest this week is the manager of the New York Mets, Gil Hodges.
• 0:12
  Gil, you've got a very fine club to work with this year coming from the Washington Senators.
• 0:17
  And how have you found it in the early days of baseball in the 1968 campaign?
• 0:22
  Keith, I think it's very nice to be back in the National League.
• 0:25
  And I'm very encouraged by the fact that, in my opinion, that the Mets have some real fine young ballplayers.
• 0:31
  And it's just the question of giving them the experience that they need.
• 0:35
  I think we're on the right track with the youth on the roster.
• 0:39
  And I'm looking forward to bigger and better things for the New York Mets.
• 0:42
  Gil, we had Ron Swirbode on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently.
• 0:46
  And here's a boy with great potential. Have you been working with him or some of the other coaches?
• 0:51
  No, we haven't, Keith. And I might say that was a wonderful story on Ron Swirbode in Sports Illustrated.
• 0:58
  The thing is, to me, the first time I saw Ron Swirbode was in spring training of this year.
• 1:04
  And I think that this boy has come on to be a real Major League ballplayer.
• 1:09
  I feel that he hasn't reached his peak, near his peak as yet.
• 1:12
  But he has a potential, in my opinion, to be a star in the National League.
• 1:17
  You've got quite a nice young pitching staff, Tom Seaver, Jerry Kuzman, Nolan Ryan.
• 1:21
  I guess that this is going to really help out finally.
• 1:23
  Well, it should. I feel that all three of these boys are naturally, they're young.
• 1:28
  They have real fine arms. And of course, Seaver was Rookie of the Year last year, winning 16 ball games for the Mets.
• 1:34
  And this year, he's throwing the ball good. He's pitched well.
• 1:38
  I think that Nolan Ryan and Jerry Kuzman have real fine arms.
• 1:43
  And there again, I think, given the experience, they're going to be around for many, many years.
• 1:48
  Keel Hodges, would you say the National League is a little stronger than the American League?
• 1:52
  I wouldn't at this time, Keith, because at this particular time, I haven't seen all the clubs in the National League.
• 1:57
  I think the American League is getting stronger. It showed it last year with the race that they had.
• 2:03
  I think that the National League has been this way for many years.
• 2:07
  But as far as to compare the leagues, I just am not in a position to do so at this time.
• 2:12
  Which do you find more challenging, managing the Washington Senators or the New York Mets?
• 2:16
  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.
• 2:23
  And of course, what dictates the game that you play is the personnel that you have.
• 2:29
  And I think it's a challenging position here. And I'm enjoying it very much.
• 2:34
  I think the ball games that we played have been very interesting.
• 2:37
  And we could have a much better record at this time if things had gone a little bit different for us.
• 2:42
  But we're looking forward to better things from here on in.
• 2:46
  Well, Gil Hodges, the Mets have got a great leader now. And we want to wish you the very best of luck.
• 2:50
  Keith, thank you so much.
• 2:52
  This is Keith Morris with Sports Illustrated.