Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz

Mets PR Legend of 40 years and current V.P. of alumni relations and team historian, Jay Horwitz, talks to some of the most interesting people he can find.

Amazin’ Conversations is a weekly opportunity for listeners to not only hear stories from Mets alumni you would never get anywhere else, but interviews with some incredible people outside the world of baseball.

Sports
Baseball
1
Did Matt Harvey Like Being Called The Dark Knig...
Matt Harvey reflects on the phenomena that was Harvey Day, his rookie year, the 2015 Mets World Series run and what it was like being the face of what felt like the hottest team on the planet at the time.
21 min
2
How Did Darryl Strawberry Save Barry Lyons’ Life?
Barry Lyons caught for early Dwight Gooden and had his life saved by Darryl Strawberry, in this episode of Amazin' Conversations he reflects on both instances and talks about his time with the Mets ahead of two major number retirements coming this year,
22 min
3
What Is The Origin of Bill Raftery's "Onions!" ...
Jay is joined by his longtime friend and legendary college basketball coach and announcer Bill Raftery. Jay and Bill reminisce over their years working together, where Bill gets all of his iconic catch phrases from and what he thinks the state of local teams like St. Johns and Rutgers can look forward to
22 min
4
Which Mets Starters Witnessed The Birth of Jon ...
Jon Niese talks with Jay about his time with Mets, the pitchers who watched him see his child's birth of facetime, Carlos Beltran paying for his nose job and his hunting preserve.
17 min
5
Was Garth Brooks on The 2000 Mets?!
As Spring Training is upon us, Garth Brooks and Jay reminisce over their time together back in the spring of 2000 when Garth Brooks joined the Mets for camp. Garth shares his stories of playing with Todd Zeile, Mike Piazza and John Franco, getting his 2000 NL Championship ring, keeping in contect with players like Robin Ventura and much more in this very surprising Mets alumni episode!
14 min
6
Was Benny Agbayani Patrick Mahomes' Favorite Ba...
Benny Agbayani is an all-time beloved Mets, "Benny and the Mets" used to fill the airs of Shea Stadium. Jay talks with Benny to talk about his new passion, coaching his son who is a top ranked high school prospect in Hawaii. Benny also spoke about some Mets memories like his playoff home runs, thinking he was giving away a third out ball to a fan, and of course, his times playing catch with a young Patrick Mahomes!
16 min
7
Could The Mets Have Won in 1986 Without Sid Fer...
Many people say the Mets would not have been able to lock down their World Series championship in 1986 without Sid Fernandez. Jay and Sid discuss this as well as many other topics in an especially great conversation. Sid also talks about his memory of Sandy Kofax visiting the Dodgers at Spring Training, pitching behind Doc Gooden, playing with Darryl Strawberry, and being managed by Davey Johnson.
18 min
8
Was John Maine's Time With The Mets Under-Appre...
John Maine was thrust into big playoff moments after injuries in the 2006 Mets playoff run and he more than delivered! Outside of that, Maine stayed with the team for a few years and had another big moment in 2007 when he almost had a no-hitter in the second to last game of the season keeping the Mets playoff hopes alive. Would you say John Maine deserves more credit for his time with the Mets??
17 min
9
Darryl Strawberry On Getting His Number Retired...
Ahead of getting his number retired this year on June 1st at Citi Field, Darryl Strawberry sits down with Jay Horwitz, a man he's known since the very beginning of his Mets career. Darryl doesn't only look back on his time with the team but also what he's done with his life after baseball to help the world and learn from his mistakes. The on-field conversation focuses on Darry's beginnings with the Mets, why he always feels he'll be a Met regardless of his time and championships with other teams and what playing in Queens meant to him.
20 min
10
Eric LeGrand Continues To Lead an Inspiring Lif...
Eric LeGrand talks about what life has been like since his on-field injury that would change his path, but lead him on an amazing journey of self discovery and resilience. Since the injury Eric has become a public speaker, and a businessman with a wide array of interests including a whiskey brand and a coffee shop. Eric talks about having his number retired by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, retiring as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and being the recipient of WWE's Warrior Award.
18 min
11
Pat Hanlon and Jay Have 80 Years Combined Work ...
Lifelong fan of the New York Football Giants catches up with his pal Pat Hanlon, VP of Comms for the team. Between the two of them there is over 80 years of Pro New York Sports experience and filled with memories with greats like Michael Strahan and Eli Manning.
27 min
12
Ed Kranepool Was 17 Years Old Facing Koufax, Dy...
Imagine being 17 years old and going up against the all-time legends of baseball? That was Ed Kranepool's life while rooming with players in their 30's like Frank Thomas. Ed talks about his time with the Mets playing with the likes of Willie Mays, Tom Seaver and being on those 1969 Miracle Mets!
26 min
13
Meet John Gibbons, 2024 Mets Bench Coach and Fo...
John Gibbons is part of new manager Carlos Mendoza's coaching staff for the 2024 Mets, but this isn't his first time wearing Orange and Blue.
24 min
14
Kevin Mitchell Talks Doc and Darryl Number Reti...
1986 Met and 1989 NL MVP Kevin Mitchell comes on the show to talk about his teammates Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry ahead of their number retirements this summer.
23 min
15
Billy Wagner States His Case for Cooperstown
Billy Wagner has made progress on the Hall of Fame ballot over the last few years and remains optimistic about his chances for 2024
21 min
16
Is Bull Durham THE Quintessential Baseball Movi...
Writer and Director of the all-tune classic baseball movie Bull Durham, Ron Shelton joins the show to talk about his book which covers the making of the beloved movie, "The Church of Baseball". In this conversation the two talk about casting Kevin Costner, the fight with the studio over Susan Sarandon and how Jay as a PR guy related to the film and preparing players for the show.
17 min
17
Tiki Barber Talks Not Being in The Pro Football...
WFAN host and former New York Giants great Tiki Barber came on to speak with Jay about his more recent career change into professional broadcaster where he hosts Evan and Tiki on WFAN with Evan Roberts. Giants superfan Jay Horwitz talks with Tiki about not being in the Hall of Fame, an embarrassing moment the two shared when Tiki visited the Mets clubhouse back in the day and Jay's dog that was named Tiki.
22 min
18
What The Jets and The Giants NEED To Do with Bo...
Some of you know Boomer Esiason as the longtime voice of mornings on WFAN, some of you know him as the famous Bengals and Jets QB, Jay Horwitz knows him as a lifelong fan of the New York Mets who grew up idolizing Tom Seaver. Boomer lays out what he would do with the New York Jets and Giants if he were GM, where he thinks Zach Wilson will fit into the 2024 Jets team and if the Giants should try to make the best of this year or just burn it to the ground.
23 min
19
Getting Ready For "Titanes Del Caribe" At Citi ...
Citi Field will host the first-ever Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) Series between rivals Los Tigres del Licey and Las Águilas Cibaeñas, and former Met Juan Lagares will be playing for Las Águilas Cibaeñas. In this conversation with Jay, the two discuss Juan's time with the Mets, including his 2015 World Series run and Gold Glove award, as well as his time with the Angels and Shohei Ohtani. Juan also gives some insight on being able to see Ronny Mauricio play in the league last year!
10 min
20
Seth Greenberg Talks About NIL Solutions and Th...
With the college basketball season a little over a week away. Seth Greenberg joins longtime friend Jay Horwitz to discuss the state of the sport, their time together at FDU, and Seth’s current job at ESPN.
29 min
21
New York In The 80’s With NY Rangers Great Ron ...
New York Rangers great Ron Greschner takes Jay through what the 80’s were like in New York City in the 70’s and 80’s, going to Studio 54 and seeing some Mets there, as well as late nights with Rusty Staub that ended with Golf Balls flying down Third Avenue.
14 min
22
Mike Breen Previews 2023 Knicks and Talks Mets ...
Voice of the Knicks Mike Breen talks with Jay about being a lifelong fan of the Mets, all the way from his first game at Shea Stadium as a kid being enticed by the green to being at playoff games throughout the years. Mike also previews the 2023 Knicks and explains why Jaylen Brunson could be the key piece of this offseason.
20 min
23
Doc Gooden Talks Number Retirement and His Rela...
As Doc Gooden gets ready to see his number retired next season, he sits down with Jay in the Cadillac Club at Paysons in Citi Field to talk about his career, what the honor means to him and some incredible stories from his time with names like Mel Stottlemyre, Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez. Doc also talks about his time with the Yankees where he pitched against the Mets at Shea.
22 min
24
Breaking Down The Greatest Moments In Baseball ...
Jay welcomes New York Times best-selling author of Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments Joe Posnanski. Joe goes over the hard choices he made over his best moments while Jay proving he’s the Forrest Gump of baseball finds a way he is tied in with almost every story on the list.
27 min
25
Looking Back on the Mets Amazin' 1973 World Ser...
1973 National League Champions Cleon Jones, Ron Hodges, and Félix Millán catch up with Jay Horwitz to discuss their incredible season. They cover the off the wall catch, their big comeback in the standings, the Ya Gotta Believe speech and some memories of playing with Willie Hayes.
25 min