New Amazin’ second baseman Jose Iglesias — a 12-year MLB veteran recently promoted from Triple-A, and whose wildly popular new single “OMG” is on Spotify, iTunes and his YouTube Channel — takes a swing at some Q&A form Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: How many times in your life have you needed to sing “Oh My God” to yourself or to your loved ones?
A: A lot of times. It’s been in great moments, and it’s been in bad moments. I have to sing “Oh My God” when I was escaping from the Cuban national team, running trying to cross the border, come to U.S. and become a big league player, that was my dream. … So I was like … I was asking for help, I was like, “Oh my God, just take care of me.” And then, when I signed with the Red Sox, back in the day, I was like, “Oh my God, thank you.” So He’s always there. The phrase is always there, the meaning is always there. It goes so many ways, and I’m very grateful.
Q: What was that moment like when you crossed the border?
A: It was intense, it was intense. It was probably the biggest move in my life. I was so nervous. I just remember waking with shorts and a T-shirt and a dream to become a big league player. That’s all I remember.
Q: Describe your night in a Montana jail cell after crossing the border.
A: It was 16 hours. They were doing the paperwork, all the parole stuff, and it wasn’t fun, I was screaming, “Oh my God,” inside. It was like, “Oh my God, what am I doing here? I’m just a kid, I just came to play ball, what am I doing here?”
Q: What were the conditions like?
A: It was no blanket, no lights. … It was sad, it was miserable. And I started crying. I was like, “What am I doing here?” I was poor, yeah, but I was happy in Cuba. I didn’t expect U.S. to be this bad. I just didn’t know what the process looks like at all. No English, so political asylum was my first word that I learned of the language. It’s a dream come true. I mean, looking back to everything I’ve been through, crossing the border, 18 years old, fighting for a dream. I said it on the song: Fight for your dreams, it’s possible. The song, this is more than music, this is life.
Q: You said you were poor growing up?
A: It was tough. My dad worked hard, he was making $10 a month, so you have to choose whether you walk barefoot or you eat, and then we choose to eat. It is what it is. That’s the system, and it’s not great.
Q: What did your father do?
A: He was working in a factory.
Q: What happened June 25, 2018, in Detroit?
A: I become a U.S. citizen. That was huge, that was huge. That was an “Oh my God” moment too. It was one of my dreams, right? That’s why I came to this great country. I become a U.S. citizen on the baseball field wearing a major league uniform.
Q: Describe your reunion with your mother in Mexico in 2013.
A: I was able to get her a visa, and after five years I get to see her. I flew to Mexico, we were there for like three weeks. It was a great moment. I was able to bring my dad also from Cuba. He watched me play over 10 years, and then he passed away about a year-and-a-half ago. It’s a dream come true, continue to help and be an inspiration for a lot of guys in Cuba as well. It’s kind of lead by example, like how the dreams can come true. It’s hard, it’s not gonna be easy, but it’s doable.
Q: When was the last time you saw your mom?
A: This stretch has been longer, because the visa expired. I would say seven years.
Q: Has it been tough on her and your siblings in Havana?
A: The system is corrupt, it doesn’t work for the people. I try to support her as much as I can, and hopefully eventually try to get ’em over at some point.
Q: Do you think you’re a better shortstop or entertainer?
A: I think they’re both very similar. Every time you make a great play, they’re on their feet and they’re having a great time. Sort of like when you sing “Oh My God,” they get on their feet, and then they start throwing hands in the air — they’re very similar.
Q: How did “Oh My God” begin?
A: We reach for it. We talk to the Man Above a lot. And then I was like, how can I bring those moments where people connect with God, the universe, energy whatever. How can I bring that to music?
Q: You wrote “OMG” in the offseason.
A: I did it at the ranch [Casa de Campo], I have a ranch about an hour from Miami, west, it’s our family getaway place.
Q: How big is the ranch?
A: It’s 150 acres. It’s a reunion place where we bring friends and family members, and we spend Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year.
Q: When did you first become fascinated with music?
A: My dad loved music, and I always liked to listen to music, singing in the shower, writing songs.
Q: Your favorite lyrics from “OMG”?
A: Every verse has a punchline. … It’s hard to translate. … You gotta be thankful to have another day in life, for the close and the real friends you have. Always do good, never do bad, ’cause energy comes around. One day you’ll be on top, the next day you’ll be on the bottom.
Q: In the dugout after a home run, everybody is throwing hands up in the air.
A: We refer to the Man Above, or the energy above. It has like a double meaning to it. It’s asking for prosperity and for positivity, and then also like if it’s something bad comes to us, push it away. Because the chorus has both. It has a part when you ask for like prosperity and health, and then if it’s something coming, push it away from us.
Q: What do you think is responsible for the Mets’ recent surge: “OMG” or Grimace?
A: That’s not a fair question for me (smile). I’m going to say neutral on that because I don’t want to be one side or the other. It’s however takes to have the team in the right place to compete and continue to have the energy that we have, and that’s what it’s all about. This is beyond music. We have a goal to accomplish as a team, and “Oh My God” just got to be part of it, and we’re gonna need more than that. It’s a long season, and we’re just in a good place right now. The guys are having a great time, and that’s what it’s all about.
Q: You missed 2013 because of fractures in your legs then you missed 2023.
A: Definitely you don’t want to miss any time, obviously, but I did learn from both, I did learn a lot. It was an easy decision, the doctor was like, “We have two choices here, are you getting surgery, or we shut it down for a year?” And I was like, “I don’t want to deal with surgery,” thank God everything went well, and I recovered from that. And in ’23, it was very strange, because I really have a good season in Colorado, and I deserve an opportunity. I sit in a room and I realize why, and what? Like why I didn’t get the opportunity, and what I need to do. I feel great, I’m not going to leave the game, I will regret this in the future if I do this. We all have room and space to get better as a player. I regroup, I collect information, and the Mets give me an opportunity. I was competing every single day, and just live in the moment. That was the key for me. No expectations, just working hard, stay in the moment, and just be a good human being.
Q: It must have been frustrating repeatedly declaring for free agency.
A: I try to put it in the past. It was so bad. Went to Miami, had a good spring, looked good, for some reason didn’t happen. And went to San Diego and I perform, I play well, for some reason it’s just meant for me to be here today. Sometimes things happen for a reason. You can’t explain it. It was not easy, because I know what I can bring to the table on and off the field, and I know how I feel also as a baseball player. And the Mets gave me an opportunity, and here I am.
Q: You did not think about giving up?
A: It was very sad, become a free agent and expecting to have a job, deserving a job and not getting a call. It was frustrating.
Q: You thought it was a possibility that your baseball dream was over?
A: A hundred percent. A hundred percent. It’s tough for me to have the opportunity to help a big-league team, and not even get a call. It didn’t make sense, didn’t make sense. When the Mets call, it was a no-brainer. Having guys like [Brandon] Nimmo and Frankie [Francisco Lindor] next to me. … He’s a great leader. I learn a lot from Lindor. He’s 30 years old, but he’s very mature.
Q: Brad Ausmus, your manager in Detroit, described you once as “an acrobat playing shortstop.”
A: Appreciate it, Brad (smile).
Q: He also said it seemed like you had eyes in the back of your head.
A: There is definitely a natural thing in it for sure, but I put in a lot of work. You got to work. You’re born with some talent, but your discipline and your will to become who you want to be, it’s very important.
Q: What is the best play you ever made?
A: I made one in spring training with the Angels in ’21. [Jose] Quintana was pitching . … It was a ground ball to the middle, I ran as hard as I could, I dive, the ball was already behind me, I catch the ball and no-look, from the ground, threw it to first base on the chest to Albert Pujols.
Q: Describe your mentality on the field.
A: I’m positive. Obviously experience in the game I felt it kick in at some point. I think what it tells me is dealing with failures better. When I was younger, I was very hard on myself. It’s OK, if you do it the right way. I think I wasn’t do it the right way. Focus on the process, one day at a time knowing that you’re going to fail. You’re not perfect, no one is. I see the game a lot slower nowadays.
Q: How do you like playing in New York?
A: It’s different, I love it (smile). It’s a perfect timing for me too. To win games, it’s more than just the game. It’s a process of preparation, mindset and energy that goes along with the hitting, the fielding, the baserunning and everything else. But it’s been great, I love New York. It’s a very unique market. You have to have the personality to play in New York. It’s a special place. It’s hard, it’s hard. It’s easy when you’re doing well, and everybody’s riding with you, but when you’re not, that’s what separates it. It’s when you’re not doing well — we talked to [Carlos] Beltran, he’s been through slumps, Frankie … and why they stick around, why Lindor is a player here. It’s because he’s a baseball player with the right mindset. To play in New York, it’s not just the body, it’s the mind. It’s both. You have to combine the two in order to play here every day.
Q: Whatever comes to mind: Omar Vizquel.
A: Oh my God (smile). He is the best. I got him as a [Tigers] coach. it was crazy when I worked with him and I said, “Omar, say something, make me better.” And he’s like, “No. I got nothing to say. For you, it’s about the process, it’s about your nutrition, it’s about your training program, because your ability’s there.”
Q: Rey Ordonez.
A: He was special. He won three Gold Gloves with the Mets. Great shortstop.
Q: Carlos Mendoza.
A: Gamer. A lot of energy. He cares, he prepares, and he’s on it. He has a lot of experience, he’s been in the game for a long time. Carly is very involved with the game and the players.
Q: J.D. Martinez.
A: Hitting. He loves hitting. … He’s a great leader. He’s very knowledgeable about hitting, he’s a great human being. It’s just a great guy to have in the clubhouse for sure.
Q: Shohei Ohtani.
A: Discipline. I was in shock about his discipline. It doesn’t matter how Shohei looks that day, I’ve seen Shohei go 0-for-4. We used to do contrasts, cold, hot after games almost every day together. Some days I had a good day, and I was a little excited, and some days I didn’t have a good game, and I was a little more down. And then I look at Shohei, the dude strike out four times or three times, I don’t remember, and he was laughing! And I was like, hmmm, interesting. His consistency and his discipline, understanding the process of it and not living in the result, it’s what makes Shohei I think special, besides all the talents and the natural that he has. He sleep a lot, he eats correct. … I love Shohei.
Q: Miguel Cabrera.
A: Special. I can call him a friend more than a teammate, so we’re very close. I love Miggy. He taught me a lot just by watching him. Miggy didn’t say much. Miggy would talk about hitting maybe a day or two in a season. But when he does, listen. He’s very smart.
Q: Big Papi, David Ortiz.
A: He make a big impact in my career back in 2012. I was just a young prospect, and I have a plane ticket and everything to go to Europe, and I was not hitting well, I was like .150 or something like that. And he was like, “Oh really, you’re going to Europe?” And I’m like, “Yeah, I’m so excited.” And then he said, “Oh, awesome! Let’s have dinner after the game.” So we talk about it, and he’s like, “Hey, Europe won’t go nowhere. You have a career in front of you. You have the time now to make something happen for you and your family. I promise you, Europe won’t be gone. Just focus on the game. Cancel the trip, all the planes, all the hotels, everything, and I want you to work this offseason and in January, I want you in D.R. [Dominican Republic]. I want you there because I want to see how you look,” because I was very skinny coming from Cuba. And I canceled the trip, and then I worked two times a day. I went to the yard, he saw me, he was happy the way I looked. Came to spring training, I made the team, hit. 300, playoffs, everything. I thank Papi all day long for that advice.
Q: What drives you?
A: It was my father — still my father even if he’s physically not here — and my family, my kids. I’m very blessed to have a great woman [Arlene] next to me, who supported me, even in those tough times, she was there. It’s hard to do it alone, but when you have good people, when you have a great woman next to you, and a great family, it makes it a lot easier.
Q: You have two boys and a girl: Jose Jr., 13; Alvaro, 7 in September; and Antonella, 5. How do you like fatherhood?
A: Love it. My dad was an unbelievable human being. He taught me how to work for things, he taught me how to fight for things, at a young age too. And I’m trying to be there as much as I can for my kids, and just pass along what he did to me. It’s a little harder here obviously, the time and the travels and the game and this and that, but every time I get an opportunity, I’m always with my kids.
Q: Any favorite New York City things yet?
A: The diversity of people and just the energy, just people walking by. It’s a very fast city. Grab a coffee and just see how everybody moves.
Q: Where are you living?
A: I stay at the hotel close by for now.
Q: What’s that like?
A: It’s not cool (chuckle). I’m going to get an apartment when we’re coming back from Pittsburgh, I think.
Q: Tell me about the writing on your left forearm.
A: I have it with Marc Anthony. It says the secret to having it all is believing you already do. It’s a great message for us. It’s living in the moment like I said. It’s not chasing material stuff, they’re not going to make you happy, you know, the bigger plane, the bigger yacht, that’s not the answer. It’s enjoy what you have and protect who you love.
Q: Seven dinner guests?
A: My dad, No. 1, for sure he’ll be there; my mother; my grandmother [Julia]; my whole family and my wife’s grandmother [Mireya].
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Just Go With It.”
Q: Favorite actors?
A: Gerard Butler and Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actresses?
A: Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?
A: Marc Anthony.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Sushi.
Q: What is it like for you hearing “OMG” on the Citi Field loudspeakers?
A: It’s a dream come true. I’m very humble about it. It’s whatever it takes to win the game, that’s the most important thing. Whatever helps the team to put ourself in the best position to compete that night and to stay positive, that’s the purpose. That’s how I want to be part of it. Today’s “OMG,” tomorrow could be something else. But whatever works for us to be together and compete together and deal with struggles together, that’s what I want.
Q: Is this a playoff team?
A: Yes. But I always say this: It’s who stays healthy and who stays positive. If you don’t know how to deal with the struggles that the game’s going to bring to you … because there’s two players in the game, there’s the humble and there’s the one about to be humble. So if you understand that, and you stay healthy, we’ll be fine.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: I think my perseverance. It’s been hard, it’s been hard. I have to play in the minors after 10 years in the big leagues. I was uncomfortable with the helmet, I’m not used to that. So I have to wear that, and it feels weird for me. It’s a different energy, and I have a lot of respect for minor league players because it’s hard. Big league is obviously hard too, but it’s different. They provide you with anything and everything, Everything I learned from my old teammates, all those guys that you mentioned earlier, it’s just sharing with everybody, and then I make them about them, that way I don’t think about where I’m at, or why am I wearing this big helmet? I’m focused on make them better. Working the process, and help others, that was the secret for me to stay positive down there in the minors.
Q: If there was a movie about your life, what do you think the title should be?
A: Perseverance, 100 percent. And we’re going to do a comedy with “Oh My God” (smile).
