On the Mets beat

It doesn't happen very often, so when Sandy Koufax speaks to the media, it's a good idea to listen. Koufax, an annual visitor to Mets camp, talked to reporters there for the first in years. He provided some insight into his chat with Billy Wagner about developing a curve ball and also what spring training used to be like for him more than a half century ago.

On Wagner's chances of developing a curve ball:

"You know, it all depends on your mental attitude," Koufax said. "Changing speeds for a guy that throws 100 mph is not always easy because you don’t want to. Sometimes you think 103 is better, to change speeds up instead of down. I think Billy has come to the realization now that he might have to find one more pitch. If it works for him, great. He’ll be just that more effective."

On spring training and today's professional player:

"I think organizations have changed," Koufax said. "When I first went to the Dodgers in 1955, I think there were 645 signed players in camp and another 100 free agents. So it was basically survival of the fittest. Whoever broke down you never saw again. Today everybody is a prospect, everybody gets treatment, you’re trying not to hurt anybody. It’s just a different situation. Baseball has changed. They’re bigger, stronger. There’s no doubt in my mind they could go nine innings. It’s just not the way the game is played."