Mets honor beloved Jay Horwitz by naming press box after him
Former Mets media relations director Jay Horwitz poses for a photograph next to a plaque in his honor at a press box ceremony before a game against the Diamondbacks at Citi Field on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Jay Horwitz was flanked by Terry Collins, Sandy Alderson, John Franco, Todd Zeile, Tim Teufel, Mookie Wilson, Howie Rose and Steve Cohen, and he still probably was the most beloved figure in the Citi Field press box Sunday afternoon.
So, all things considered, it’s probably a good thing it’s named after him now.
The Mets dedicated their press box to their longtime media relations director — a well-liked pillar of sports media who, for 42 years, has stemmed the divide between athletes and reporters.
Horwitz, 76, currently serves as the vice president of alumni relations and team historian. He was the director of public relations and then vice president of media relations for 38 years until 2018.
“It’s good to feel like you still make a difference with what you do,” Horwitz said. “I never did this for the money. We did this for friendship and for memories, and today, that’s what it’s all about for me.”
After a tribute video on the scoreboard, Horwitz, escorted by Collins, threw out the first pitch to Franco before the Mets took on the Diamondbacks. He did have a little help, though, throwing from the midway point between the mound and home plate and getting 20 minutes worth of tips from Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. Horwitz hit Franco’s glove cleanly.
And on a weekend when the Mets honored one legend — the Tom Seaver statue outside Citi Field was unveiled Friday — they made sure to highlight that Horwitz is an organizational legend in his own right. They wore shirts with his likeness with the word “Legend” underneath and gave out cookies with his face emblazoned on them.
The large plaque, meanwhile, is situated right at the press box entrance. It reads: “Distinguished leader of the Mets media relations department (1980-2018). His legendary dedication to his craft, wit, and fun-loving personality made him an iconic figure in New York sports beloved by the front office, players, and media.”
“Jay has been cleaning up Mets messes — some of his own making, some of which I made for him, for over 40 years,” team president Alderson said. “It hasn’t always been easy. It wasn’t a yellow brick road. But throughout those 40 years, Jay, out of his love for the Mets, remained unfazed, committed and totally professional.”
Added Rose, who oversaw the dedication: “He has the biggest heart perhaps of anyone I’ve ever known, so it’s only fitting that the Mets organization return the love that he’s shown to them and put it directly back on his lap.”
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
