MIKE SCHMIDT INTERVIEW.(baseball player)(Interview)

Hall of Famer talks about home runs, the state of the game and managing

"If I played today, I'd probably average about 53 homers." "Baseball is not as appreciated across the board as it once was." "I believe I could manage today without any minor league experience."

"EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS A team that's really special, and the 1980 club is that team for the Phillies," said Mike Schmidt while attending the 20 year reunion of the Phils' only world championship squad. "I'm honored to be on that team and be a central figure on it," he added.

With that, the Hall of Fame third baseman began a relaxed, free-flowing and highly entertaining interview enlivened with his dry wit and cogent observations. The former Gold Glover fielded a wide array of topics ranging from family to faith to golf to the state of the national pastime.

When asked how he felt about the possibility that many players may pass him in the statistical ranks due to, in part, the changes made in the game since he retired, Schmidt responded philosophically. "I never thought by the time I left this earth I'd still be ranked number seven on the all-time home run list. But things have changed in the game today," he said.

As a matter of fact, Mark McGwire surpassed the Philly slugger last June to take over the number seven position. At the same time, the Cards' first baseman was passing Schmidt, the number of homers already hit in Houston's Enron Field (118) equaled the entire total belted at the Astrodome in all of 1999. The Astros finished the 2000 season with a club record 249 home runs--135 of which were hit in the club's new ballpark.

Schmidt opined.