Watch Mets infielder José Iglesias perform “OMG” on the field after the game against the Astros

NEW YORK — Move aside, Baha Men, and make room, Timmy Trumpet. Here comes Candelita — that is, José Iglesias, infielder for the New York Mets.

The tradition of musicians performing and appearing at Mets games took a unique turn on Friday night when Iglesias sang his song “OMG,” after a 7-2 win over the Houston Astros in front of 32,465 fans at Citi Field.

Live performance

“New York City!” Iglesias shouted as he walked toward shortstop, a position he has played 1,016 times in his 12-year major league career. “Let’s keep the party going!”

Iglesias was accompanied by dancers for more than a minute before his teammates – many wearing “OMG” T-shirts – streamed onto the infield, surrounded him and raised their arms in the air to the “Oh my God!” chorus.

Sean Manaea held up an “OMG” sign while Harrison Bader, Starling Marte and Mark Vientos filmed the performance with their cell phones.

“It’s hard to say how I feel,” Iglesias said later in the locker room, where Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor were still singing the song. “That was a big deal. To sing in front of great fans and see my teammates walk up there, it’s just a dream come true.”

Iglesias is a lifelong music fan

Iglesias, a lifelong music fan, wrote “OMG,” describing it as an attempt to “…maximize the possibility of pleasure.” He used it as his walkup song when he was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on May 31.

Mets players immediately took a liking to the 34-year-old Iglesias and his song, which is now played every time a Met hits a home run at Citi Field. New York has a 17-6 record since Iglesias joined the team and reached a record above .500 on Friday for the first time since May 2.

“It’s incredible – I think this is going to be great for him,” said Mets starter Jose Quintana. “It’s pretty cool to be a part of it.”

“And the way we keep playing, I’ll probably listen to this song at least once or twice every game.”

“OMG” was released on all streaming platforms on Friday, a week earlier than planned. Click here to watch the music video.

“I think it’s a special occasion,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who wore an “OMG” shirt at his pregame press conference. “Here’s an active player who also has a song that’s becoming increasingly popular.”

A kind of tradition

The Baha Men played “Who Let The Dogs Out?” – the anthem of the NL champion Mets – before Game 4 of the 2000 World Series, but Derek Jeter hit a home run on Bobby Jones’ first pitch just minutes later and the Yankees won the next two games to secure their third consecutive title.

On August 31, 2022, the saxophonist Timmy Trumpet played “Narco”, the entrance song for closer Edwin Díaz as Díaz jogged in for a save opportunity against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Díaz pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out a 2-1 victory, the Mets blew a three-game lead in the NL East in September, lost the division title to the Atlanta Braves and were eliminated in a wild-card series.

Iglesias, who has a .389 batting average in 36 at-bats, said he would not have sung the song on Friday if the Mets had lost.

“How many emotions were there? A lot,” Iglesias said. “The way my teammates reacted and the fans and everything that happened – it’s just a perfect storm and I’m just happy to be here.”