Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz

In this episode of Amazin’ Conversations, Jay sits down with Mets legend and longtime friend Mike Piazza. They discuss Mets memories, Soto’s introduction, and how Mike is preparing for the Alumni Classic Game this Fall.Send the Mets to the 2025 All-Star Game! Vote up to FIVE TIMES per day! 🗳️👉 https://bit.ly/43rNDDW [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F43rNDDW&data=05%7C02%7CEmily.Cimbal%40mlb.com%7C798e3d36725f45a8602308ddad366cdd%7Cd2ee16708a1447debd453c02c8a0513b%7C1%7C0%7C638857171638209797%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NA6ZqNUiyjsfkk07aPbGKhZm56OEH24K%2BNUGE29amds%3D&reserved=0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

After the announcement of a star-studded 2025 Alumni Classic Game at Citi Field this September, Jay sits down with fan-favorite alumni R.A. Dickey and Benny Agbayani. They reflect on memorable moments — from walk-off homers to unhittable knuckleballs — and share why this reunion means so much to them. The three-inning Alumni Classic Exhibition game will take place on September 13 before the Mets take on the Texas Rangers at Citi Field. Tickets are available online at mlb.com/mets [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmlb.com%2Fmets&data=05%7C02%7CWilliam.Kahn%40mlb.com%7C2f631f61a2c4435739fb08dda791e398%7Cd2ee16708a1447debd453c02c8a0513b%7C1%7C0%7C638850967493502714%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wnBKcx2M1AcoJR%2B6FHAalNZ4VA0KsYaEkI%2BhifshVm0%3D&reserved=0]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

For the third year in a row, Citi Field was name Best Stadium Food in America—and Mets Executive Chef Jason Eksterowicz joins Jay Horwitz to explain how it happened. From deep-fried Oreos to international egg rolls to secret grilled cheese pinwheels, Chef Jason breaks down the dynasty-level work going into every bite at Citi Field. He reveals the research process, the partnerships with Adam Richman and local Queens restaurants, the secrets behind fan-favorite dishes like the Pub Burger, Pig Beach turkey sandwich, and cinnamon bun egg rolls—and why they’re gunning for a FOUR-PEAT. Whether you're a Mets fan or a foodie, this one’s packed with flavor. 📍Subscribe for more Amazin’ Conversations and follow @mets for full episodes! 00:00 – Citi Field Named Best Stadium Food (Again!) 00:19 – “That’s a Dynasty”: How the Food Team Reacted 00:54 – Chef Jason’s 40th Year Lunch Menu: Corn Dogs, Twinkies & Fries 01:59 – Elevating the Dessert Game: Zeppoles, Fried Oreos, Cinnamon Bun Egg Rolls 03:33 – How New Food Items Are Planned Each Season 04:43 – NYC Inspiration: Building a Menu That Reflects the City 06:17 – The Adam Richman Pub Burger & Juicy Lucy 08:13 – A Fan Inspired the Pig Beach Turkey Sandwich 09:25 – How Many Chefs Run Citi Field’s Food Ops? 10:20 – Chef Jason’s Roots: Big Family, Big Meals 11:12 – What Mets Executive Chef Eats at Home (Hint: It’s PB&J) 12:13 – Cooking Thanksgiving for 30+ People 12:39 – Taste of Queens: Helping Local Restaurants Post-COVID 13:43 – The Restaurant Selection Process for Citi Field 14:43 – 2025 Taste of Queens Participants and Rotation 15:20 – Walk and Roll’s Viral Egg Rolls: Rainbow Cookie to Cinnamon Bun 16:10 – “City to City”: Visiting Team-Themed Egg Rolls 17:18 – Upcoming Saint Louis-Inspired Fried Ravioli 17:45 – Daily Briefings & Running a Stadium Like a Resort 18:09 – Verrazano Egg Roll & Deep-Fried Oreo Skewers 18:58 – Building for a Four-Peat: What’s Next in 2026 19:58 – The “From the Stretch” Stand & New Twists on Classics 20:35 – Shoutouts to Loren and Tara for Making It Happen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Michael Cuddyer joins Jay Horwitz to reflect on the career of David Wright ahead of Wright’s jersey retirement. From a fateful cafeteria moment in Virginia to their bond as Mets teammates, Cuddyer shares how Wright inspired his journey—and helped bring him to New York in 2015. They dive deep into the Home Run Derby at Citi Field, the 2015 postseason run, mentoring Michael Conforto, Daniel Murphy’s October dominance, and the legendary Championship Belt. Plus: why Cuddyer walked away from the game and how he stays involved in baseball today. An emotional, honest, and often hilarious look back at a pivotal friendship in Mets history. 🎧 Presented by the New York Mets. Subscribe and leave a review to support the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Orel Hershiser joins Jay Horwitz for a rare deep dive into the year he spent as a New York Met — and the unforgettable moments that came before it. From earning his 200th career win in Flushing to outdueling the Mets in the legendary 1988 NLCS, Hershiser reflects on a career full of iconic moments and unlikely friendships. He opens up about what it meant to play behind Robin Ventura and Rey Ordoñez, why Bobby Valentine was one of the smartest minds he’s ever worked with, and the hilarious myth about John Olerud's helmet. Plus: tales from the Dodgers’ clubhouse, broadcasting with Vin Scully, and why Ricky Henderson was truly one of one. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: Orel Hershiser’s Mets & Dodgers Legacy 01:00 – Why He Signed with the Mets in ‘99 02:15 – Bobby Valentine, Buck Showalter & a Smart Clubhouse 03:00 – Remembering That 1999 Mets Team 04:00 – Clinching the Wild Card: Brad Clontz’s Wild Pitch 05:00 – Pitching Through Pain, Grit, and Adjustments 06:30 – The Grand Slam Single Game from the Mound 08:00 – Winning Career Game #200 as a Met 09:15 – Flashback to 1988 NLCS: Breaking the Mets’ Hearts 11:00 – Dodging Bulletin Board Material & Lasorda’s Pep Talks 12:30 – Game 7 Heroics & Tommy’s Crazy Contingency Plan 14:00 – Thoughts on Payroll, Competitive Balance & Steve Cohen 15:30 – Shohei Ohtani Is a Fantasy 16:45 – Best Infield Orel Ever Played Behind 18:00 – The Olerud Helmet Story Was Fake?! 19:00 – Ricky Henderson Talked in the 3rd Person 20:00 – The Mercury Mets Game 21:00 – Why That One Mets Year Meant So Much 22:00 – Life Lessons from Vin Scully & Dodgers Legends 23:30 – On Broadcasting with Joe Davis & ESPN 24:30 – Orel’s Plans During the Dodgers-Mets Series 25:00 – A Farewell to Jay from the Bulldog Himself Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]