Jesse Orosco joins Amazin’ Conversations to reflect on one of the most iconic teams in baseball history and one of the longest careers the game has ever seen.

Orosco looks back on what made the 1986 Mets different, the intelligence and confidence of that clubhouse, the pressure moments of the postseason, and the grind of pitching deep into October. He also shares memories of Game 7, Davey Johnson’s leadership, Gary Carter’s impact, and the bond that made that team unforgettable more than 40 years later.

00:00 – Why the ’86 Mets were different
01:26 – Reflecting on 40 years in baseball
02:22 – Longevity and pitching longer than expected
03:13 – Thinking about career legacy and records
04:11 – The grind and pressure of postseason pitching
05:18 – Trusting teammates in big moments
06:55 – Facing the Red Sox and World Series pressure
07:26 – The RBI single in Game 7
08:07 – Giving the final out baseball to Steven McDonald
09:09 – Davey Johnson’s leadership style
09:58 – Remembering Gary Carter
11:04 – Pitchers playing the outfield and team confidence
12:02 – Why you’ll never see baseball played that way again
13:02 – Why that Mets team still resonates

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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 to speak publicly about it, and how that led to the creation of the Chris Carrino Foundation to support muscular dystrophy research.

The conversation also explores Carrino’s broadcasting journey, his Fordham roots, his love for baseball, basketball, and football, and the emotional moment when he embraced using a wheelchair and reclaimed the freedom to keep doing what he loves.

Amazin’ Conversations delivers candid, story-driven interviews with the people who have shaped the game and the lives around it.

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⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps (30-Minute Episode)

00:00 – Intro
01:05 – Discovering his diagnosis in his early 20s
04:20 – Choosing broadcasting despite the challenges
07:30 – Hiding the disease and the emotional toll
11:45 – The moment he decided to share his story
15:10 – Transitioning to a wheelchair and finding freedom
19:10 – Adapting life on the road as a broadcaster
22:20 – Fordham, Marty Glickman, and broadcasting roots
25:40 – The Chris Carrino Foundation and giving back
28:45 – Final thoughts and message for listeners

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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 productive office. Kenny also shares stories from his early Mets years working with Howie Rose, memories from the 1986 World Series run, calling the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup, his path to Olympic hockey, and what it means to step into the TV role after the legendary Sam Rosen.

Subscribe for more Amazin’ Conversations featuring Mets voices, legends, and unforgettable stories.

00:00 Kenny Albert does everything — when do you sleep?
00:51 The craziest week: London to Vegas to Buffalo to Vegas
01:55 How Kenny prepares when there’s no time
02:36 The checklist: watching games, reading, notes, pressers
04:21 Why flights are his best work time
05:10 Jay’s Marv Albert stories and growing up around broadcasting
06:51 Kenny’s Mets booth years with Howie Rose (1987–1990)
08:58 Being there for the 1986 clincher
10:20 All I ever wanted to do and parents meeting at Shea
11:15 Family life with the travel grind
12:10 Taking over Rangers TV after Sam Rosen
13:35 Mets Cardinals 20-inning game story
15:49 1994 Stanley Cup Finals and meeting his wife
18:54 Olympics hockey and what it means
19:47 Bucket list moments still to come
20:35 Jay’s closing message

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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 Francisco. He also gives a rare inside look at Barry Bonds as a teammate, why they butted heads, and what he really thinks about Bonds and the Hall of Fame.

Jeff and Jay revisit the 2000 Mets–Giants NLDS, Bobby Jones’ one-hit shutout, and what it was like playing at Shea Stadium in October. Kent also shares personal stories: losing a family dog during a season in New York, giving back to women’s sports at Cal, watching his son Caden play in the Yankees system, and running a working Wagyu ranch in Texas.

If you love 90s and 2000s baseball, Mets history, or just great storytelling, this is an Amazin’ conversation you don’t want to miss.

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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 deeply personal stories about his father’s unwavering support, his brother’s legacy, and the family bond behind the Mazzilli Foundation.

This is one of the most complete Mets stories we’ve ever told — legacy, loyalty, heartbreak, triumph, and a homecoming decades in the making.

00:00 – Cold Open
00:21 – Jay Intro
01:10 – Lee Mazzilli on Growing Up in Brooklyn
03:40 – Becoming “The Face of the Mets”
06:15 – The Pressure and Fame of Late-70s Mets Baseball
08:54 – Getting Traded & How It Changed Him
12:20 – The Release That Led to Barry Bonds
15:55 – Returning Home to the ’86 Mets
18:40 – Almost Being Traded for Ray Knight
21:10 – Why the ’86 Clubhouse Was Different
24:05 – Mazzilli on His Dad: Love, Support & Zero Criticism
27:25 – The Passing of His Brother & The Mazzilli Foundation
30:50 – What the Hall of Fame Call Meant
33:10 – Gratitude, Legacy & Final Thoughts

Chapters

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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 college basketball mirrors lessons he learned from the Mets and his mentors.

Jay and Matt also dive deep into:
• Building a modern college basketball roster
• How NIL + the transfer portal changed everything
• What it’s really like working for Rick Pitino
• The bond between Saint John’s and Mets legend John Franco
• Handling pressure, expectations, and New York fans
• How the Garden has come roaring back for St. John’s

A must-watch for Mets fans, college hoops fans, and anyone fascinated by the new era of roster building.

Let’s Go Mets. Let’s Go Johnnies.

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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 talks about mentoring the next wave of talent — including Francisco Álvarez, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña — and why he believes the future in Queens is “super bright.” He also dives into the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, his Roberto Clemente Award, and his new role as GM of Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic, with Francisco Lindor as his captain.

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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 Robin Ventura’s Grand Slam Single.

Bobby and Jay also revisit the 9/11 season, sharing powerful stories about the team’s role in healing the city, Mike Piazza’s iconic homer, the work players did behind the scenes, and the fans who inspired them.

This is the full Bobby V story — baseball, leadership, heart, and the moments that shaped Mets history.

00:00 – The Mustache Disguise Story
01:14 – Breaking the Tension in 1999
02:06 – Bobby on the Mets Hall of Fame
03:12 – Playing & Coaching With Legends
04:23 – Managing Through the Late 90s
06:06 – Turning the Mets Around
07:01 – Getting the Most Out of Players
07:49 – Why Mets Fans Love Bobby V
08:49 – Battling the Braves & Yankees
09:12 – The Full Mustache Story (Again!)
10:11 – Players Reacting to the Disguise
11:14 – The 2000 Pennant Run
12:21 – Robin Ventura’s Grand Slam Single
13:18 – Japan Trip & Benny Agbayani
14:17 – Leadership Through 9/11
15:08 – September 11 Memories
16:07 – The Team Giving Back
17:21 – Mike Piazza’s 9/11 Home Run
18:24 – The Ashes in the Bullpen Story
19:14 – Final Thoughts & Mets Legacy

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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, thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s insane talent, his feelings about MLB’s new rules, and the emotional Shea Stadium ovation when he returned years later.

This one’s part Mets history, part hitting masterclass, and all heart.

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TimeStamps

00:00 HOTFOOT origins & picking targets (Bill Robinson + TV director)
02:21 Why the title “HOTFOOT” & the timing of the book
03:26 How McDowell & Feldmann teamed up (after ’87 Cardinals research)
08:00 NLCS Game 6: five shutout innings to save the season
10:49 Five pitchers over 16 innings — unheard of today
13:09 “Dominant from Day 1”: targets on backs but a team of roles
14:24 Davey Johnson: the original analytics mind & player’s manager
16:31 1985 trust moment: post-surgery Roger goes 127 IP out of the pen
17:15 Doc Gooden precedent: Davey vs. front office on trusting the room
18:31 Teammate tales: Kevin Mitchell’s suit story in San Diego
19:56 Bullpen roles with Orosco & Sisk — why it worked
22:17 Sid Fernandez lesson: pulling him mid-AB to reinforce command
27:04 Cincinnati ’86 brawl: relievers in the outfield & Pete Rose protest
29:40 Keith Hernandez’s defense — instinct and anticipation masterclass
33:18 The cover, the fire & the “serious between the lines” Roger McDowell

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