Jay Horwitz, His Ass

[G-Fafif]

Brian Costa takes a slightly worn topic -- Jay Horwitz's propensity to "butt dial" an odd assortment of cell phone contacts -- and weaves late Spring Training magic.

During a 2010 game against the Rockies in Denver, Horwitz accidentally called ex-Met Livan Hernandez from the Coors Field press box. Hernandez, who was then pitching for the Nationals, returned the call from his locker in Washington a short while later. The ensuing conversation played out like an Abbott and Costello skit. "Jay?" "Livo?" "You called me?" "You called me." To this day, Horwitz accidentally calls Hernandez once a month, for reasons unknown to both men.

No Met, past or present, is immune, regardless of stature.

A few years ago, while doubling as the Mets' assistant traveling secretary, Horwitz would often try to email players' flight itineraries to an administrative assistant in the general manager's office. The assistant was a woman named Dianne, but when Horwitz typed in the D, he would inadvertently email third baseman David Wright instead. Wright was too polite to tell Horwitz, so he became a sort of liaison between Horwitz and the woman. "I would just forward the emails to her and say, 'Hey, here's another one from Jay,'" Wright said. "The whole thing's been going on for years. People are just now starting to learn about how, uh, different he is."

[ashie62]

Maybe Horwitz will text his junk.

[Guest themetfairy]

G-Fafif wrote: A few years ago, while doubling as the Mets' assistant traveling secretary, Horwitz would often try to email players' flight itineraries to an administrative assistant in the general manager's office. The assistant was a woman named Dianne, but when Horwitz typed in the D, he would inadvertently email third baseman David Wright instead. Wright was too polite to tell Horwitz, so he became a sort of liaison between Horwitz and the woman. "I would just forward the emails to her and say, 'Hey, here's another one from Jay,'" Wright said. "The whole thing's been going on for years. People are just now starting to learn about how, uh, different he is."

I love this story

[Edgy MD]

There is nothing not fantastic about that bit of journalism. I mean, on one hand, it points (somewhat gently) to a guy holding onto his big PR chair years past his peak. On the other, it's a story a younger Jay Horwitz would've loved to have fed just the right writer --- if, perhaps, the subject wasn't Jay Horwitz.

[Edgy MD]

You know, using numbers like "3,000" and "100" to Davis alone, without qualifiers, I guess it comes out not so gently.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

If you aren't able to pull magic out of a PR guy's butt, well, he isn't much of a PR guy, then, is he?

[stevejrogers]

Edgy MD wrote: There is nothing not fantastic about that bit of journalism. I mean, on one hand, it points (somewhat gently) to a guy holding onto his big PR chair years past his peak. On the other, it's a story a younger Jay Horwitz would've loved to have fed just the right writer --- if, perhaps, the subject wasn't Jay Horwitz.

While Horwitz did cooperate with the story, it is puzzling why it's out there, and the WSJ no less.

Not so subtle push out the door?

More piling on by a media conditioned over the last 30 years that anti-Met articles are generally enjoyed by an audience?

Seeds planted by another team's PR department to the writer as yet another way to embarrass the Mets?

Its 2013, it is quite embarrassing if your job depends on using a smartphone on a constant basis, one shouldn't still be a bumbling technophobe about it after years of using one. So it is a bit surprising that Horwitz would let himself be viewed as the fool here.

[Edgy MD]

If that's piling on, then pile on. It actually tells a story rather than re-assemble already-known facts into a pre-determined narrative.

[stevejrogers]

Edgy MD wrote: If that's piling on, then pile on. It actually tells a story rather than re-assemble already-known facts into a pre-determined narrative.

Fair enough, but its not very flattering, and does fit the predetermined narrative of a organization lifer who's best days have long past him.

Even the fact that he is comfortable and has a good self-deprecating humor about it kind of feeds into that narrative as well.

[Edgy MD]

It may so fit, but if that's where a fantastic and delightful path of unfolding facts leads the writer, so be it. He doesn't even argue that conclusion, but lets you do that if you want.

Why Horowitz seemingly cooperates is a matter of speculation. I guess that, like Casey, he sees value in allowing himself to appear to be an old fool, so writers can get their stories, the team get it's publicity, but he's the one ridiculed instead of the players.

I don't know if he has the savvy to stay ahead of that angle. (I imagine he can't.) But he will hardly be the first person to embrace the attention of the fool rather than get no attention at all. He's been dressing in superhero tights, for goodness sake.

[metirish]

No it's not all that flattering, but seems to fit the general perception of Horowitz as described above....I wold not like to work under the guy.

[stevejrogers]

Edgy MD wrote: Why Horowitz seemingly cooperates is a matter of speculation. I guess that, like Casey, he sees value in allowing himself to appear to be an old fool. I don't know if he has the savvy to stay ahead of that angle. (I imagine he can't.)

Especially considering Stengel being the fool and Horwitz being the fool are two completely different things, and effected/effects the masses perceptions of the organizations they worked/work for much differently.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not sure I want to have that argument. We have a spring training Pulitzer in our hands.

[stevejrogers]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm not sure I want to have that argument.

Why not, not much to argue;

One being the on field manager/off field team ambassador with no real function with any sort of day-to-day franchise operation in an age where the information/communication age was relegated to sci-fi/Jetsons and in the minds and dreams of scientists.

The other has a job that literally requires him to have a smart phone and be in constant contact with dozens of people each day. Making decisions, helping with any and all PR related matters (good and bad) and being shown in the article that he is barely capable of using it for its actual purposes. To the point where his assistant won't return his calls because he's been hit with one too many accidental calls.

Stengel = Just the face of the franchise, harmless when it comes to organizational issues.

Horwitz = Head of PR department, considered an embarrassment by others outside the organization, one more "proof" people turn to when showing how much of a fucking embarrassment the Mets have become since 1987.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not sure who you're necessarily quoting. But if one wants to decide Horwitz is part of the problem, they are welcome to. That doesn't make this story "piling on." It's more gracious than most.

Steve and I --- the only people posting today. Because everybody else sees snow days as kid/grandkid opportunities.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Edgy MD wrote: Steve and I --- the only people posting today. Because everybody else sees snow days as kid/grandkid opportunities.

I've been working the NBF.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm not sure who you're necessarily quoting. But if one wants to decide Horwitz is part of the problem, they are welcome to. That doesn't make this story "piling on." It's more gracious than most. Steve and I --- the only people posting today. Because everybody else sees snow days as kid/grandkid opportunities.

I'm just being lazy and zoning out playing Tetris and watching TV. but now I'm going to go the gym.

I'm a little tired of the non-baseball baseball stories anyway. Baseball's so close I can smell it.

[Guest vtmet]

I actually find these Jay Horwitz stories pretty entertaining, and it appears that Jay finds the humor in them as well...

I used to think that Jay was a horrible PR guy, who had a tenured job due to the buddy network...now I see him as more of a Bud Melman or Gulligan type of character, which makes him more of a guy that you root for despite his obvious flaws...

[Farmer Ted]

So David Wright is, in essence, the assistant to the assistant traveling secretary?

[Ceetar]

What's his title, media relations right? seems like the media likes him, so I presume that means he does his job well?

[metirish]

By all accounts Horowitz is loved within baseball, certainly by long time writers.....IIRC the knock on him was dealing with people within the game who are not baseball types, they found him unprofessional. I think Jay now actually works under a " proper" PR person.

I do enjoy his nuggets on Twitter.