Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz

Today we honor and remember Shannon Forde — a beloved member of the Mets family whose impact extended far beyond the press box.

Shannon wasn’t just the Director of Public Relations for the Mets. She was a connector, a storyteller, a trusted voice inside the clubhouse, and someone who made everyone feel seen. From players and executives to media members and fans, Shannon’s presence shaped the culture of the organization in ways that still resonate today.

In this special tribute episode, we reflect on:

• Shannon’s journey with the Mets
• The relationships she built across the organization
• Her leadership and professionalism
• Personal memories that define her legacy
• The lasting impact she continues to have on the Mets family

This is more than a remembrance. It’s a celebration of a life that meant so much to so many.

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Todd Zeile joins the show to reflect on one of the most emotional moments in New York sports history — the Mets’ return to Shea Stadium after 9/11.

From the silent bus ride over the George Washington Bridge… to the first sporting event back in NYC… to the decision to defy MLB and wear NYPD and FDNY hats… Todd shares powerful behind-the-scenes memories of how baseball became part of the healing process.

He also discusses his upcoming documentary project on how baseball changed America following 9/11, and why the events of 2001 remain the most meaningful part of his legacy.

This is more than baseball. This is New York. This is never forget.

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Annie Seaver joins Jay Horwitz for a deeply personal conversation about her father, Mets legend Tom Seaver.

She shares emotional memories of growing up with Tom Seaver, what he was like as a father, the overwhelming love Mets fans showed after his passing, and why the Seaver family chose to share pieces of his legacy with fans.

From life at the ballpark to life in the vineyard, Annie reveals the human side of one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

This special episode of Amazin’ Conversations offers a rare and intimate look at Tom Seaver beyond the mound.

0:00 Introduction

0:52 Why the Seaver family decided to auction personal items

2:07 Annie reacts to overwhelming fan support after Tom’s passing

3:19 Growing up around baseball and listening to games

5:11 Jay shares his first interaction with Tom Seaver

6:21 Annie describes Tom Seaver as a father

7:42 Tom Seaver’s passion for his vineyard

9:10 Annie reflects on Tom’s life after baseball

10:14 Tom Seaver’s humility and love for people

11:55 Growing up traveling with Tom Seaver

13:03 Annie remembers Tom’s teammates and friendships

15:04 Tom Seaver’s relationship with his legacy and memorabilia

16:13 Annie explains why sharing his items with fans matters

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Former New York Mets pitcher Craig Swan joins Amazin’ Conversations to reflect on his career, the reality of pitching on struggling teams, and the friendships that defined his time in baseball.

Swan shares unforgettable stories about playing alongside Bobby Valentine and Lee Mazzilli, the pressures of being a local star in New York, and his deep friendship with Tom Seaver. From wild clubhouse memories and road-trip stories to battling injuries, reinventing life after baseball, and finding joy through unexpected hobbies, this is a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about the human side of the Mets’ history.

This episode is a reminder that not every legacy is defined by championships — some are defined by character, resilience, and the people you shared the uniform with.

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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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