Q&A: Frank Howard recalls early days of Dodger Stadium

Capital, punisher, just capital.

What do you think of today’s sluggers such as Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Adam Dunn?

“It’s unbelievable what these young guys can do. I heard quite often, ‘They don ‘t make ‘em like they used to,’ and that’s right — they make ‘em bigger, faster and stronger. And a hell of a lot smarter. These guys are marvelous talents.”

What changed since your day was the influence of performance-enhancing drugs in the game. What have you thought of all this?

“We’ve always had to answer critics. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, there were heavy drinkers. In the ‘70s, drug use was a problem. Through education and awareness, baseball cleaned it up. That’s happening again after we got into the juice. The guys in recent years are bigger, stronger, they’re doing year-round conditioning. I was in real estate and a consultant for Jim Beam brands in my off-season. It behooves these guys to prepare year round, and it’s resulted in great players. When I saw Mark McGwire hit a baseball — and, remember, I saw Willie Stargell, Willie McCovey, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew — McGwire could hit it harder than any of them. I don’t know about his living habits, but I don’t care what anyone says, you hit 70 homers, you’re gifted.”

Would you have juiced?

“Who’s to say? Put it this way: If it’s legal, and I’m hitting 20 homers, and my agent says, ‘Don’t you have 10 more homers in you? Try this … .’ If it’s going to jump you from $2 million to $10 million a year, and if it’s legal, or not banned, I’d consider it.”