In this episode, Spencer Horwitz joins the show to talk about what it means to represent Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic and why the experience goes far beyond baseball.

Horwitz reflects on his first WBC run, the pride of playing for his heritage, and why he immediately jumped at the chance to return. He also dives into his MLB journey, battling through injury, adjusting to new teams, and how big league experience has changed his confidence on and off the field.

From clubhouse chemistry and international competition to identity, responsibility, and playing for something bigger than yourself, this is a thoughtful and personal conversation with one of baseball’s most grounded young players.

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Former MLB batting champion Michael Cuddyer joins Amazin’ Conversations to share incredible firsthand stories about watching Bo Bichette grow up inside a Major League clubhouse.

Cuddyer reflects on Bo taking batting practice with the Rockies at just 15 years old, the approach-based hitting philosophy taught by Dante Bichette, and why that foundation shows up so clearly in Bo’s game today. He also explains why Bo is uniquely prepared to handle New York, media pressure, and positional adjustments at the Major League level.

Plus, Cuddyer discusses his own career, winning a batting title, his time with the Mets, family life after baseball, and what makes great hitters and great teammates.

00:00 Intro
00:40 Michael Cuddyer on watching Bo Bichette at 15 years old
02:20 Dante Bichette’s approach-based hitting philosophy
04:00 Bo growing up in a Major League clubhouse
05:20 Adjusting to new defensive positions
07:00 Handling New York pressure and media scrutiny
08:40 Bo’s makeup and maturity
10:00 Cuddyer’s post-playing career and family life
12:00 Mets memories and staying connected to the game
14:00 Final thoughts on Bo Bichette

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On this episode of Amazin’ Conversations, Jay Horwitz sits down with longtime baseball writer and author Ken Davidoff for a wide-ranging conversation about journalism, storytelling, and the life lessons that baseball can teach.

Davidoff discusses his new book 101 Lessons from the Dugout, including how David Wright became involved by writing the foreword, why the book resonates far beyond the field, and how baseball terminology mirrors real-life decision making.

The conversation also dives into Ken’s decades covering the Mets and Yankees, memorable human-interest stories, relationships with iconic figures like Bobby Valentine, Ron Hunt, and Jesse Orosco, and why those behind-the-scenes stories matter more than ever in today’s media landscape.

A thoughtful, nostalgic, and insightful episode about baseball, people, and perspective.

00:00 – Opening memories & first Mets game covered
00:44 – Ken Davidoff’s journalism career and teaching
01:06 – 101 Lessons from the Dugout and David Wright’s foreword
02:40 – Turning baseball terminology into life lessons
03:50 – David Wright as a coach and father
05:12 – Decades working together and human-interest storytelling
06:17 – Ron Hunt, Shea Stadium seats, and fundraising efforts
07:58 – Rusty Staub, community impact, and meaningful stories
09:01 – Bobby Valentine, Subway Series memories, and interleague play
11:13 – Mets writers dinners and staying connected to the game
12:14 – The 1986 Mets and unforgettable personalities
14:09 – Why this book is different and what baseball teaches us
16:34 – Book release details and future plans

⏱️ Timestamps

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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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