Q: How's your health? Are you still working out?

A: Every morning. I get up about 7:30 and work out at home — I've got a setup there — for an hour or more. I lift weights and do a lot of exercises. I don't do any running because of my knees. I feel as good as I have in years. If you can't sit in the saddle, you can't lead the charge. ...

Q: What's your view on upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations? The contract expires Dec. 19. You paid $34 million in luxury tax and $75.9 million in revenue sharing for 2005. Are you looking for changes to the current system?

A: I see in the paper today Boston is starting to whine about it. I think (commissioner) Bud Selig has a steady course now, but they can't continue to take so much money from us. It's crazy when you can't make money when you're doing like we're doing (4 million-plus admissions in 2005). I'm very supportive of Bud Selig but just hope he tempers it and makes it more equal. I'd like to see everybody competing, but we're not a socialist state. ...

Q: As former vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee (1989-96), were you troubled watching the poor showing by United States athletes in this year's Olympics?

A: They didn't do well at all. When I was involved, I designed the future for them. It was a disappointment to watch them. That skier (Bode Miller) was out at night, chasing all over. That was no good.

Q: How do you spend your time away from baseball?

A: I have 13 grandchildren, and they keep me going. They're all doing very well. Following them keeps me busy. There's nothing like being a grandfather. It makes you feel good, but it's tough to keep track of all of them. I try to be good to them. My wife Joan and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on May 12. That woman is a goddess, spending all that time with me.

"Jenny would always tell me that her dad would say, 'If you're going to get married, let me know because I want to wear a dark suit and be as intimidating as possible when the young man comes to see me,'" Swindal says. "So, in the good Southern tradition, I go ask George for Jenny's hand. And man, I was intimidated that day. I'd never been to his office. So I go to the receptionist - the same receptionist sitting outside today - and I sit there, sweating.

"When she calls me back, she says, 'He's ready to see you' and I get up and he's back there. And he's sitting there and he says, 'Hello, what can I do for you?' in this loud voice. And I stopped for a minute, just stood there. And then I said, 'Well, you might want to consider putting on a dark suit.' And he stood up, shook my hand and said, 'Congratulations!' and I didn't say anything at first. I just said, 'Phew.' " ...

Daily News: What do you remember about the first time you met George?

Steve Swindal: I certainly knew of him and his blustery reputation and so forth. But as a father-in-law, and certainly as the father of someone I was dating, he was totally different. He was family-oriented, and I would use the word "kind" to describe him. It's none of the attributes you would think would apply to the "public George." I guess I'd say yes, I felt intimidated, but not to the extent you might think. He let me off easy, I suppose.