Longtime Mets vice president of media relations Jay Horwitz — an institution in his 39th year with the club — is moving to a new gig with the Amazin’s. He will be in charge of alumni relations, with the team making an official announcement Wednesday.
The 73-year-old Clifton, N.J., native has been with the Mets since 1980. The team has a press conference slated for 2 p.m. that will include players past and present, as well as COO Jeff Wilpon.
The Mets wore first responder hats during Tuesday’s batting practice and pregame ceremonies that included a warning track salute from 100 uniformed officers. And though manager Mickey Callaway is a relative newcomer who wasn’t in New York for Sept. 11, 2001, he was moved by the event.
“This is a pretty good experience,” Callaway said before the Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Marlins. “All of us remember where we were. I was playing for the Durham Bulls and remember waking up to the phone ringing, and talking to my parents and just kind of watching the news all day. But to be in New York on this day, managing a team in New York, is a pretty neat event.”
The players and coaches were all joined by first responders from the FDNY, NYPD and PAPD — all of whom had been personally affected by the 9/11 attacks — during the national anthem performed by NYPD officer Makiah Brown. The first pitch was thrown out by FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who had been at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and appointed chief the next day.
“I’ve been to the memorial. It’s one of the most impactful places I’ve ever been, just walking around there,” Callaway said. “It’s pretty special to be in a Mets uniform. I remember when Mike Piazza hit that homer 20 days or whatever it was after that all happened, so that was pretty cool. It’s a day that needs to be remembered and I’m proud to have this hat on and be a New Yorker.
“I feel for all the tragedy that happened with all that. I read an article I think in the Post where some of those guys still haven’t been brought to justice. So it’s still here and present with the families that were affected. So it’s a pretty tough situation and I don’t think it’ll ever be forgotten. I’m glad that baseball recognizes it every year.”
Mets third baseman Todd Frazier was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Dan Bellino.
“I just thought two pitches were off the plate. I didn’t even have to go back and look,” Frazier said. “He called two strikes [and] it should’ve been a 3-0 count. I said something to him during the at-bat that basically none of those pitches were on the plate. He didn’t agree. I got on the field, I basically told him again they were that far outside and he tossed me. It is what it is. I guess he didn’t like the way I said it.
“I didn’t say it’s demeaning. It’s just frustrating when you’re right and you get thrown out anyway. But its par for the course. It happens. I don’t know what else to say, just that when I’m right I’m going to get my money’s worth. And I was. Bottom line he missed three calls on me and a couple during the game that were key, especially in a close game. [Jacob deGrom] is fighting to get as many wins as he can in the race that he’s in, so I’m going to get heated.”
Michael Conforto homered in his third straight game for the first time in his career. He now has 24 for the season.