By Jay Horwitz No one’s laughing today. During my years as the SID at Fairleigh Dickinson they made fun of our name and called us things like “Fairly Ridiculous.” In my estimation we lost games in 34 different states during my time there. My late friend and former Knights coach Al LoBalbo scheduled games against top teams all across the country to spread the name of FDU basketball. Unfortunately, we didn’t win many. But last night was different. We became the second 16th seed in NCAA history to knock off a Number One. The school from Teaneck shocked the sports world. This April 1 will mark 43 years since I left FDU to come work for the Mets. I couldn’t be prouder of my old school.

By Jay Horwitz By the time Edwin Díaz came on the scene I had switched over to our alumni players and did not work with him on a daily basis. From afar, I have had nothing but admiration and respect for the way he has handled himself with the media. His first year with the Mets was filled with one struggle after another, but he never hid from the press and was always in front of his locker to face the music.

By Jay Horwitz One thing I learned in doing public relations for all these years is that sometimes less in better than more. We didn’t have very good teams in the mid-1990’s and looking back I put undue pressure on Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen and Bill Pulsipher who we named “Generation K.” It was a catchy phrase that got us some exposure but at what price. Paul got hurt, Izzy became a great closer and Pulse went on to experience some anxiety problems which affected his career. If I had done a better job of shielding these young players perhaps things might have turned out differently.

By Jay Horwitz On my first trip to St. Lucie 35 years ago I ran into two alligators walking around in the grass behind right field. I remember the main drag had a gas station and a Wendy’s. I ate there a lot. To get to the restaurants on the…

FLUSHING, N.Y., February 17, 2023 — The New York Mets announced today their 2023 minor league coaching staffs, as well their player development and medical personnel for the upcoming season. Dick Scott will begin his first season as the manager for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets after serving as the organization’s…

By Jay Horwitz What a great thrill it was for me to work with the great Tim McCarver when he did TV for us for 16 years. Tim passed away today at the age of 81. He always had a joke ready and a smile on his face. I can…

By Jay Horwitz I always thought Gary Carter would win his battle against brain cancer, but he didn’t and passed away 11 years ago today. He was only 57. Jeff Wilpon and I flew down to Florida to see him about six weeks before his death. He opened his door and said with a smile, “JJ, I am going to beat this thing.” That was Gary to a tee. He was always glass full. Gary was the kind of guy who didn’t care if he went 0–4 as long as we won. I can still recall his first game as a Mets when he a game-winning homer against the Cardinals.

FLUSHING, N.Y., February 16, 2023 — The New York Mets today announced the team named Carlos Beltrán a special assistant to Mets General Manager Billy Eppler. Beltrán, 45, played with the Mets from 2005–2011 and ranks sixth on the club’s all-time list in homers (149), RBI (559), extra-base hits (374) and OPS (.869), seventh in slugging (.500) and eighth in runs (551) and OBP (.369). “Carlos had an exceptional playing career, including several special years here in Queens,” Eppler said. “I’ve known Carlos for many years, and I’m excited to add his unique perspective to our Baseball Operations team.”

By Jay Horwitz I know a thing or two about upsets. Excited about being the Press Officer for Team Israel in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The experts say we have no chance. In our pool, we will be going against Puerto Rico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Some…