Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz

In this episode of Amazin’ Conversations, Jay Horwitz sits down with longtime broadcaster Chris Carrino for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Carrino opens up about discovering he had muscular dystrophy in his early 20s and the decision to keep pursuing a career in broadcasting despite the uncertainty ahead. He shares how the disease gradually impacted his life, why he ultimately chose...

Kenny Albert joins Jay Horwitz for a special edition of Amazin’ Conversations — and if you’ve ever wondered how one broadcaster can call the NFL, NHL, MLB, and more, Kenny lays it all out. They talk about Kenny’s craziest travel stretch (London to Vegas to Buffalo to Vegas), how he prepares when he’s bouncing between sports, the checklist he uses for every game, and why flights might be his most p...

Jeff Kent sits down with Jay Horwitz for an honest, funny and emotional conversation about his entire baseball journey – from chaotic days with the early-90s Mets to becoming an MVP with the Giants. Kent opens up about playing on “the worst team money could buy,” his memories of Bobby Bonilla and the New York media, getting traded for David Cone, and how his career took off once he landed in San F...

Lee Mazzilli joins Jay Horwitz for a powerful, emotional, and funny conversation on his journey from a kid in Brooklyn to becoming a Mets Hall of Famer. Mazzilli opens up about being the face of the franchise in the late 1970s, the trade that shocked baseball, the improbable reunion with the ’86 Mets, and the unbelievable moment when his release opened the door for Barry Bonds. He also shares deep...

In this episode of Amazin’ Conversations, Jay Horwitz sits down with Saint John’s Basketball General Manager Matt Abdelmassih — a lifelong Mets fan who has helped rebuild the Red Storm into a national powerhouse alongside Hall of Famer Rick Pitino. Matt talks about naming his son Shea, growing up at Mets games, witnessing iconic moments like the Mike Piazza 9/11 home run, and how his career in col...

Beltrán remembers iconic Mets moments like his three-homer game in Colorado, the over-the-shoulder catch on the hill in Houston, and a monster late-inning homer vs. the Phillies at Shea. He explains what it took to live up to a massive contract in New York, the pressure that comes with expectations, and why consistency was his obsession as a player. Now working in the Mets’ front office, Beltrán t...

Bobby Valentine joins Jay Horwitz for an emotional and wide-ranging Amazin’ Conversations — covering everything from the legendary mustache disguise in 1999 to his induction into the Mets Hall of Fame with Carlos Beltrán and Lee Mazzilli. Bobby reflects on his playing and managing career with the Mets, his bond with the fans, the 2000 National League pennant run, and unforgettable moments like Rob...

Two-time All-Star Gregg Jefferies joins Jay Horwitz to talk about breaking into a championship Mets clubhouse as a 17-year-old phenom, replacing Wally Backman, the hamstring injury that ended his career early, and why he turned down MLB coaching and broadcasting jobs to be with family. Jefferies opens up about his unique pool-drill training from his father, why “old-school baseball” still works, t...

Roger McDowell and co-author Doug Feldmann join Jay Horwitz to unpack HOTFOOT — from the Mets’ legendary prank wars (including the infamous Bill Robinson hotfoot) to the pressure of NLCS Game 6 in Houston, Davey Johnson’s player-first leadership, and the wild Cincinnati brawl that had relievers playing the outfield. It’s the ’86 Mets through stories, strategy, and pure clubhouse chaos — told by th...

In this episode of Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz, Mets legend and Oklahoma State assistant Robin Ventura joins Jay to talk about the next wave of Mets talent — Carson Benge and Nolan McLean — and what made both players stand out in college. Ventura shares what he saw early in McLean’s development, why his breakout isn’t a fluke, and how Benge’s all-around athleticism reminds him of classi...

In this episode of Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz, St. John’s standout Zuby Ejiofor joins Jay to talk about the program’s meteoric rise under Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, the energy of playing at Madison Square Garden, and what it meant to throw out the first pitch at Citi Field. Zuby opens up about his relationship with Coach Pitino, how he’s grown into a leader on and off the court, and wh...

Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic is coming to Citi Field, and Carlos Delgado is taking it seriously. Delgado joins Jay Horwitz to break down why this matchup is so much more than a game — the energy, the culture, the bragging rights — and why once first pitch hits, everyone’s playing to win. He talks about teaming up with Carlos Beltrán on the bench, Mets bullpen coach José Rosado, and why he’s...

Mets legend Jon Matlack joins Jay Horwitz to revisit the 1973 pennant race, his NLCS Game 2 two-hit shutout in Cincinnati, and the emotions around the World Series. Matlack shares what he learned from Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, how to handle New York pressure, and practical advice for today’s rookie arms — Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong — as they pitch in high-leverage spots. Plus...

Darryl Strawberry sits down with Jay to remember the late Davey Johnson—his call-up story in 1983, the swagger that flipped the Mets from “Muts” to a 108-win juggernaut, the “we’re going to dominate” spring-training moment in ’86, and why Davey was a players’ manager who handled discipline in-house. Straw relives the Reds brawl game with Gary Carter at third and relievers in the outfield, the NLCS...

A candid conversation on how Shea Stadium became a relief hub in the 11 days between 9/11 and the emotional return to baseball on 9/21. Players and staff revisit loading trucks, housing volunteers, visiting Ground Zero, and the unity that defined New York—and the Mets—during that time. Includes details on the new 30-minute mini-doc “11 Days in September” and where to watch it Learn more about your...

Jay sits down with Mets legend Edgardo “Fonzie” Alfonzo to talk mentoring Francisco Alvarez in Triple-A, what he looks for when roving the Mets’ minor leagues, and why the 1999–2000 infield clicked like no other. They also relive the Tokyo opener vs. the Cubs, the 10-run comeback vs. the Braves, Turk Wendell’s rubber arm, and that unforgettable night in Houston when Fonzie was unstoppable. 00:00 M...

Former Met (and now longtime baseball exec) Jerry Dipoto sits down to riff on a jaw-dropping slate of Mets memories: a notorious 1995 St. Lucie prank, two years riding with John Franco, Todd Hundley’s record run, the San Diego outfield collision, Derek Bell’s clubhouse quirks, and Roger Clemens vs. Mike Piazza. He also reflects on staying loyal to his roots, early hires, fantasy-football GM days i...

Wilmer Flores relives the night at Citi Field—finding out on his phone mid-game that he’d been traded, breaking down on the field, and the private words David Wright shared with him in the tunnel. He opens up about Jeff Wilpon telling him there was no deal, the next-day walk-off that made him a Mets legend, and why the love from Queens still follows him on every road trip. Plus: 2015 World Series...

David Wright joins Jay Horwitz for a special Amazin’ Conversation ahead of the 2025 Battle of the Badges at Citi Field — the annual showdown between New York’s police and firefighters. Wright opens up about: How Tom Seaver inspired one of his most memorable on-field moments Why honoring first responders means so much to him and his family The fierce competitiveness (and trash talk) at Battle of th...

Former Mets first baseman Ike Davis sits down with Jay Horwitz for an unforgettable Amazin’ Conversations episode — diving deep into his career highs, crushing injuries, and life after baseball. Ike opens up about battling Valley Fever, his ankle injury with David Wright, playing first base during Johan Santana’s historic no-hitter, and hitting big home runs for R.A. Dickey’s 20-win season. He sha...

Two of the most memorable managers in Mets history—Terry Collins and Bobby Valentine—sit down with Jay Horwitz for a no-holds-barred conversation about their wildest moments in Queens. From the infamous “our asses are in the jackpot” rant to Ricky Henderson myths, World Series heartbreak, and managing generational talent like David Wright and Jacob deGrom, this episode is packed with stories fans...

In this emotional and wide-ranging conversation, Mets legend and Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre sits down with Jay Horwitz to reflect on his decades in baseball—and the people who shaped it. Torre opens up about managing David Wright in the WBC, his thoughts on Wright’s Hall of Fame case, and memories of Don Mattingly, Tom Seaver, and Gil Hodges. He also shares deeply personal stories about his ch...

In this heartfelt episode of Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz, former Mets All-Star Daniel Murphy joins the show to share powerful and personal stories about David Wright ahead of Wright’s number retirement ceremony. From tales of clubhouse leadership and unspoken sacrifices to emotional comeback moments in 2015, Murphy honors the captain with insight, humor, and reverence. He also reflects...

In this special episode of Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz, longtime Mets bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello opens up about his unforgettable 25-year journey with the team — including the day David Wright tried to bribe Japanese immigration to save him! Rac shares hilarious pranks, Wright’s final moments as a player, behind-the-scenes Spring Training stories, and what made David such a unique...

A year after the death of long-time beloved Mets photographer Marc Levine, we wanted to air his podcast that we released shortly before Marc’s untimely death. We miss you Marc   Marc Levine has been taking photos for Mets since the late '80s and behind every iconic Mets photo is someone snapping the shots and for so many of them, that guy is Marc Levine. Marc talks about some of the legendary phot...