updated 6:21 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt joined the growing list of candidates for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ vacant manager’s job, emerging from an interview Friday optimistic about the prospect of getting the position.

The former Philadelphia Phillies slugger described himself as probably a longshot before his meeting with club officials Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman, who are heading the search for Lou Piniella’s replacement.

“I would move off that (stance) a little bit and say I have as good a chance as anybody else. ... I don’t think I hurt my chances,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt hit 548 homers and won 10 Gold Gloves in 18 seasons with the Phillies. He retired in 1989 and spent 11 years out of the game before being lured back to work by former Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa.

Although he initially had no aspirations to become a manager, working with the Phillies as a spring training instructor in 2000 changed his mind. He managed Class A Clearwater in 2004, compiling a 55-81 record.

The three-time NL MVP joins former Detroit manager Alan Trammel, Atlanta hitting coach Terry Pendleton, Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon and four members of the Devil Rays organization — coaches John McLaren, Tom Foley and Billy Hatcher and minor league manager Bill Evers — in interviewing for the job.

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The Devil Rays also talked to Joe Girardi about the position before the former New York Yankees bench coach took over as manager of the Florida Marlins this month.

The team also has expressed an interest in talking to Bobby Valentine, who led the Chiba Lotte Marines to the Japan League championship this week.

Schmidt said he feels he’d be a good fit for a team like the Devil Rays, who are building with young talent and don’t have a lot of money invested in high-profile free agents who heighten expectations to win right away.

He thinks managing in the minors gave him a taste of the type of patience it will take in the job. And, he feels his status as a Hall of Fame player would be an asset in marketing and free agency, as well as in building strong relationships to help players “reach or surpass their potential in the game.”

The 56-year-old said he was impressed with the 29-year-old Silverman and 28-year-old Friedman and their plan to make the franchise competitive.

“I was in a room with two guys who could have been my sons. ... We laughed and talked and told stories,” Schmidt said. “I’m leaving St. Petersburg with a fantastic feeling about the interview.”

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