Article March 26, 1979 Issue

An interview: with a former major-league pitcher

by WILLIAM WELSH HOLLAND

In 1967 Gene "Sandy" Vance pitched an 11-0 season while attending Stanford University, a best-ever record that stands today. His earned-run average of 1.70 ranks fourth-best in the school's history. He had always hoped to pitch in the major leagues, and in 1970 he became a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still active in baseball in a public-relations capacity, he launched his present second career in environmental planning shortly after he stopped pitching.

Was becoming a professional ballplayer a childhood dream?

I think every youngster who becomes heavily involved in sports dreams of one day playing for his favorite professional team. I was no exception. However, with all that dreaming I never really planned or counted on playing big-league baseball. When I signed a professional contract, I continued to play each minor-league season as it came, doing my best at each level. I knew that if I had what it took to play big-league ball, it would be-recognized, and the opportunity to advance would come. And it eventually did, without my trying to force it.

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