George Foster

By Allyson Turner

Foster began his career with the San Francisco Giants in 1969 and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1971. In 1977, his MVP year, he hit .320 with 149 RBI, scored 124 runs and hit 52 home runs to become just the seventh National League player to hit 50 or more in a season. Today, he is an outfield/hitting instructor for the Reds, working with prospects in Cincinnati's farm system. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.

George Foster hit 348 home runs during his 18-year career. (Cincinnati Reds)

There has been a lot of hype as players chase Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs, set in 1961. Do you think this year the record will be broken?
I don't believe so. I don't believe the establishment will let that happen. The same as winning. The key is making money. If a team can go out there and have a lot of support, they don't feel they have to win to draw. This is great for baseball, parks are full when a McGwire, a Sosa are hitting at batting practice. Tons of people show up to watch. The hype is great for the marketing overall. They didn't want Roger Maris to do it. I feel the balls are juiced and they will change the ball. In Chicago, one time, they would freeze the balls. They will change the balls so they're not as lively. Look at McGwire now. He's hitting a lot of fly outs. It's mid-August and there's a month and a half to go. Thirteen or 15 home runs is a lot to go. Go back and look at the stats.

Compare the pressure on Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa today to the pressure you faced in 1977?
I don't look at the situation as pressure. I look at it as a challenge. The exposure is much different. It's more focused on it now than in '77. The attention was not nearly as evident or prevalent as it is now.

What record do you think will never be broken?
(Joe DiMaggio's) 56-game hitting streak.

What was the highlight of your career?
The year in '77, MVP, leading the league in RBI, home runs, total bases, runs scored. That felt good. The only drawback; we didn't win. I would've loved to have been in the World Series and played more games and show that (performance) in the World Series. But then I could've been like Carl Yastrzemski and walked every time. It was one of those years you never forget, a magical year.

What was it like to be a part of the 'Big Red Machine?'
It was a treat for lack of a better word. And it was a family atmosphere. When you have a family that gets along well, it really helps on and off the field. When you have a guy like Pete Rose tell you to get four or five hits, he's not just saying it. It's not only going to help him, it's gonna help the team. The machine was a great word because everyone had a certain part to play and they did it well.

You mentioned Pete Rose. Should he be in the Hall of Fame?
No, I don't think, I know he should be in. Here's a guy who had the most hits in baseball and there's a void not having him in the Hall of Fame. It's not complete. It's like having a class without the teacher.

It took about seven years in the majors before your career really took off. How did you stay focused, discipline yourself and not lose faith?
The key is not losing faith. When it's something that I wanted to do, encouragement from my mother helped. At junctures in life, people give up and they are one step away from reaching it (their goal). It takes time. You can look at them as setbacks but I look at them as learning periods. If you get as much knowledge, then those so-called setbacks are learning periods. Always look at something to make you better. Have a purpose and strive to improve.

You ran track, played football and baseball at El Camino College in California and basketball in high school. Was baseball the sport you wanted to pursue professionally?
Baseball was always the sport I wanted to pursue. I played other sports to stay in shape. As I started teaching all sports I realized that all aspects of each sport can help you in the sport you ultimately want to pursue. I try to get kids involved in all sports.

Did you ever wish you played another sport?
No. If I was taller, maybe basketball. My heart was always in baseball. Idolizing Willie Mays ... that's what I wanted to be.

What was the best ballpark to play in? The worst?
I love Dodger Stadium. I hit a lot of home runs there. I got home-cooked meals. My mother always liked having players over so she would set a day aside and cook for the players. Montreal was the worst. Number 1, they didn't have a lot of fans and the fans that were there didn't seem to know baseball. It was really tough to pick up a ball there. The park was used for the Olympics and they didn't adjust it. Ballparks today are built by people who don't know the game. Pitchers love it.

What person do you feel has had the greatest impact on the game?
First, Jackie Robinson and second, Curt Flood. Third -- because of what he did with the playing part -- Babe Ruth. Jackie, because he broke the color line and that brings in different groups to the game. Curt helped break the financial barrier which was a big plus for players. We are Babe Ruth-revived as far as bringing the interest back. Baseball could still go on.

Who was the most feared pitcher you faced?
None were feared, they were very competitive. J.R. Richard from the right side and Steve Carlton from the left.

Who had the greatest influence on your playing career?
Willie Mays and Bobby Bonds. Being with the Giants, they took me under their wings; gave me the guidance and direction and knowledge that I needed to do well not only in baseball but in life itself ... being able to adjust to the media, the public, to focus and to concentrate. It was those intangibles. Willie Mays, watching him play and idolizing him, he is the master of the game and to learn from him, is amazing.

George Foster is setting new sights on managing in the minor leagues. (Cincinnati Reds)

After 11 seasons and three World Series with Cincinnati, you were traded to the Mets. How did that make you feel?
Getting traded at that time, it was like a family and you're no longer wanted. It's like you being adopted and going some place else. After playing 10 years and accumulating great stats you find out it's a business and you're a product of that business. If they can get more value, they do. The sentimental part doesn't play. Now you see it more, with big corporations. (Mike) Piazza never would've been traded. I just wanted to go to the ballclub that I could help. It was a rude awakening going to the Mets. Guys weren't as prepared mentally and physically to play. Going from a winner to a winner, it's always a challenge. I liked to bring about a positive difference in what I was involved in. No one would say Foster was a big factor. I know I encouraged a Keith Hernandez, a Darryl Strawberry and helped them develop.

How did you feel when the Mets won the World Series in 1986?
It was bittersweet. Sweet in that I felt I helped the team get to that point. Bitter that I was released in the fall of '86. But I still felt I was instrumental in helping bring about the persons that ended up there.

New York is often described as a difficult city to play in. What are your thoughts of the city?
It's a challenging place to play. When you come in understanding that no matter what you do you're not gonna please everybody, then you're OK. People in New York really know the game. A lot of people vent their frustrations on you. If you don't do well the fans get all over you. The players should get a bonus for fans who vent anger and hostility on players. New York is a challenging place to play. If you do well they'll put you on a pedestal. Darryl Strawberry is doing well and he's the talk of the city. Piazza's not doing well and they want to run him out of town.

You mentioned Strawberry. Are you happy for him?
I'm happy not only for the fact that he's someone I know, he shows that you're gonna have detours and situations in life that are not as favorable and you have to adjust to the situation and overcome them. He's able to overcome those situations. No, he will not get to the level he could've if he didn't do the things he did. No one will know what he could've accomplished. Everybody has curveballs thrown at you and you wait for that fastball and that key hit and now you're in the right direction and back on top.

You have done a lot of charitable work during your career and after. With the escalation of salaries, should a player have more of an obligation to give back to the community?
I don't like the word obligation. Once you get into the public eye it's something that they should look to do. There are a lot of kids who want to be a Bonds, a Griffey Jr. They are role models. They shouldn't be obligated. It should come from your heart. If you don't do it out of your heart you're gonna turn them off. It's worse than not even going out. As a role model, it's something they need to do. If I was commissioner, I would require players to make appearances at gatherings involving youths. Players get a chance to meet these kids one-on-one. When I was growing up, I got to meet some of the Dodgers. It was great for them to come and shake our hands.

How do you spend your days now?
I've been a roving hitting instructor for the Cincinnati Reds. I have done as much as they would like and as much as I can. Kids have the opportunity to remember and apply themselves. It's limiting, too. I wanted to be a roving instructor because I could still be with my family. I'd like to be a manager in Double-A or Single-A. The guys who have been released by the club, usually get the job managing. They didn't have what they needed to get beyond that level. Why not hire someone that's been there? I've also been doing a lot of charity golf events.

What is the best advice that you give to young players aspiring to make it to the major leagues?
Letting them know they have to give an effort. It's not just gonna happen. I tell them the four P's. No. 1, practice. Finding the right things to do and practice day in and day out. I used to take the bat to my room and practice my stance. I'd look at it. No. 2, preparation. Being prepared and not because you're in the lineup. Anticipate at the plate and the outfield. No. 3 and No. 4, being patient and learning how to be patient. I'm patient. You have to learn how to be patient. Look at McGwire. He needs to learn to be patient and apply it. You want it yesterday. When it starts being comfortable for you, don't try it right away. It takes at least 21 days to learn a new motor skill. People want it right now. That's human nature but that's not reality.