See what Mike Schmidt had to say with fans on Dec. 17

Mike Schmidt: Happy Holidays -- Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to everyone out there. I look forward to chatting with you all for the next 20 minutes

Question: Mike, what was it like to be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Mike Schmidt: A dream come true... a wonderful end to a 17 year career, probably the greatest non-family, individual experience of my life. And to be inducted with my good friend, the late Richie Ashburn, made it even more special. To see 35,000 red Phillies caps on the lawn, it was incredible.

Question: Do you think the Phillies will trade Curt Schilling?

Mike Schmidt: Well, I would imagine they'd rather not. He's the stopper of the staff, but with the Phils being one of the lower division teams, and projected to continue that way, they may see themselves in the rebuilding process. If they could get three or four good young players, it's probably a wise thing to do.

Question: Mike, having been a teammate of Pete Rose, do you think he should be in the Hall of Fame?

Mike Schmidt: Pete is not eligible because he has agreed to accept a ban from all of MLB-related activities, of which the Hall of Fame is one. Until he's reinstated, he won't be eligible. And he will not be reinstated until he does whatever it is the commissioner and his advisors feel he needs to do. And I can't comment on that, because I don't know what that is.

Question: Mike, does any player today remind you of yourself?

Mike Schmidt: Mark McGwire (laughs). Hmmm....Let me think....maybe Matt Williams. Mike Piazza too -- those are the two that come to mind.

Question: I'm sure you followed the McGwire - Sosa HR chase this summer, do you think anyone will ever reach 70?

Mike Schmidt: I would like to say probably not, but they've proven that anything's possible with modern-day athletes.

Question: Have you ever considered coaching?

Mike Schmidt: Sure. The right opportunity has not come up for me.

Question: Do you think salaries are getting a little out of hand?

Mike Schmidt: Yeah, it looks like it. Then again, I was a player who benefited immensely from free agency. I can't begrudge players for taking advantage of the system under which baseball operates. What I'm concerned about is the future of the game, and the balance of the power going totally to five or six wealthy organizations and having the other 20-some fighting to survive.

Question: Do you think expansion and the depletion of pitching has been a factor in the increase in HR's we are seeing now?

Mike Schmidt: The live ball, the ballparks, the watered-down pitching and the ever-decreasing size of the strike zone.

Question: Mike, what pitcher had the best stuff when you played?

Mike Schmidt: Early in my career it was Bob Gibson. Then it was Tom Seaver, then Nolan Ryan.

Question: Mike, what do you think you would make if you were a player today?

Mike Schmidt: Whatever the highest-paid player got!

Question: Who has the best stuff now?

Mike Schmidt: Kevin Brown, Greg Maddux -- probably a tie there. Throw Clemens in there too.

Question: Mike, where do you think Roger Clemens will end up?

Mike Schmidt: Somewhere in Texas -- that's his home state. He's probably got 2 or 3 more years, and I believe he's interested in playing ball near his home.

Question: Mike you think you would have been a great golfer?

Mike Schmidt: Well, I don't know, had I played golf all my life, I would have had a chance. I'm working real hard right now on my game, hoping to try to go to Senior Tour qualifying school next year.

Question: Mike, who are the best managers in the game?

Mike Schmidt: I think Jim Leyland's a fine manager. Davey Johnson always seems to do a good job...and Joe Torre, how could you leave him out?

Question: What is your opinion of the recent changes in the aluminum bats used in college baseball?

Mike Schmidt: I don't know what they've done... I just know that the hardest thing for a college player to do is use a wooden bat once he gets to the pros.

Question: Mike, is it tougher to hit someone that throws 95 or someone like Maddux who changes speed?

Mike Schmidt: Much tougher to hit someone that throws 95 -- for me. I could figure out the guys who weren't throwing hard. Guys who throw 95 with curves are more intimidating. They make more mistakes...but I'd still rather face the guy who's trying to trick you.

Question: What do you think of the Yankees' incredible season this year? How hard is it for a team to accomplish that?

Mike Schmidt: It was a tremendous example of what you can accomplish with a team full of unselfish players. The Yanks never had anybody who had a real MVP, record-setting year...they were just so focused on winning, nobody concentrated on individual performance.

Question: Mike, do you think that small market teams like Milwaukee are being hurt financially in free agency, especially with teams like the Dodgers out there, and should this be changed?

Mike Schmidt: Without question. But the real question is: What can be done? When certain teams have corporate ownership with deep pockets and large egos... If the owners really wants to win, and be on TV etc. nothing's to prevent them from paying for it. The owners are creating this monster themselves. they have the short-term ability to afford the salaries because of the entertainment values of the new stadiums. All the towns that have the old stadiums are going to struggle even more. So the rich market owners would probably say Hey, build yourself a stadium and join the party.

Question: Mike what do you think of Kevin Brown's new contract?

Mike Schmidt: I think it's a little ridiculous, but it's what the market will bear. I can't see the top-paid player being a guy who plays once every 5 days. You're basically paying that money for his right arm...the odds of a pitcher getting hurt in the term of that contract are pretty high. I don't begrudge Kevin Brown though. Let's not forget that a guy named Griffey is coming up for a long-term contract soon. We'll see 20 million dollar salaries soon.

Question: Was there a pitcher that you feared while you were playing?

Mike Schmidt: Feared? Sure, a lot of em. I wasn't comfortable against Ryan and Gibson early in my career. There was a lot more fear going to home plate 10-15 years ago than now. They pitched inside more often.

Mike Schmidt: Enjoyed talking a little baseball, and happy holidays to everyone. Thanks.