How Jose Iglesias’ “OMG” became the perfect anthem for the underdog Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a pop hit like many others: a soaring chorus, an addictive hook, a warm rhythm. But “OMG” performed by New York Mets infielder Jose Iglesiashas become the perfect anthem for the team unlikely playoff run.

Since its release on streaming platforms in late June, “OMG” has become a hit for many Mets team with a fun-loving atmospherehugs on and off the field. The largely Spanish-language “OMG” is ubiquitous at Citi Field, drawing well over 2 million on-demand audio and video streams in the U.S. as of Oct. 10, according to music data and analytics company Luminate. On YouTube, the official music video has almost 4.5 million views.

Than the Mets Go back home Wednesday in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, “OMG” could continue its rise: on Friday Superstar Pit Bull shared a remix of the song alongside Colombian singer Silvestre Dangond.

A baseball player whose career seemed to be coming to an end hit a home run with the song.

The sound of “OMG”

The song is contemporary Latin pop that incorporates elements of reggaetón and tropical music – pop sounds heard throughout Latin America and the United States, says music journalist and critic Gary Suarez, author of the book Cabbage newsletter.

“As a song, it’s just pure, positive pop music,” he says. “It’s a celebration of good things over adversity, which feels very right for a baseball song.”

An example text: “No tengo nada pero soy feliz” or “I have nothing, but I am happy.”

“OMG” also appeals to a wide audience thanks to the bilingual chorus. “Oh my God! Dame salúd y prosperidad,” sings the 34-year-old Cuban-born Iglesias. Translated it means “Oh my God! Give me health and prosperity.”

For some communities, A song like this is a long time coming. “So many Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans are playing baseball right now. And of course the Mets are no exception. So I think there was a certain need for a song like this to come from that world and reflect it,” says Suarez.

As for the Pitbull remix, Suarez points out that the song was written near Miami, Pitbull’s territory.

“He’s a ubiquitous pop star, which adds even more appeal to the whole thing, especially at a time when the Mets are playing in the National League Championship Series,” he says. “It doesn’t hurt to have some star power behind it. And maybe that will help have a longer lifespan beyond the end of the Mets season.”

While Pitbull is known to be a Marlins fan (even once, while recording the theme song “Marlins Time to Represent”), he told The Associated Press in a statement that as a Cuban American, he connected with Iglesias “because of our shared culture.”

The song “is about being an underdog and having a positive attitude that fits perfectly,” Pitbull said.

How Jose Iglesias Became Candelita

As a 21-year-old, Iglesias broke into the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox in May 2011, finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2013 and was an All-Star with Detroit in 2015. The Mets are his seventh team. He has earned a salary of nearly $40 million in twelve major league seasons.

But in 2023, his future in the MLB was bleak at best. He was released by Miami and San Diego – twice by the Padres – and played only briefly in the minor leagues. That’s when he started publishing Latin pop songs under the nickname Candelita (a Spanish term in the Caribbean for someone who is energetic or passionate), starting with “Tambor” and “Cantinero”. Earlier this year, he released a collaboration with Cuban singer Lenier, “No Voy a Volver,” as well as a few other solo tracks: “Te Lo Advertí” and “Perdóname Padre.”

However, nothing hit home like “OMG.” Iglesias wrote and recorded it last offseason at home on a ranch outside Miami while preparing to sign a minor league deal with the Mets.

He began the season in Triple-A, but the team’s poor start gave him an unexpected opportunity in Queens. When he played his first game against New York on May 31, “OMG” was his walk-up song. He quickly proved to be a spark plug for the Mets, gaining more playing time and his song becoming a rallying cry for the team.

Iglesias “OMG” performed live for the first time after the Mets defeated the Houston Astros at Citi Field in late June, and since then it has become an anthem not only for the team but also for Mets fans.

“OMG” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Latin Digital Song Sales in July, selling over 1,000 downloads in its first week. The official music video features dancing employees – an Amazon employee, a mechanic, a chef – and ends with an outdoor party.

“It’s hard to say how I feel,” Iglesias said after that performance in the stadium. “That was a big deal. Singing in front of great fans and seeing my teammates do it is just a dream come true.”

Now the song follows every Mets home run at Citi Field and accompanies every win. After home runs, smiling players pose for group photos in the dugout with an “OMG” sign in blue and orange – in the team colors, of course.

The song also plays in the Mets’ clubhouse, where they have had three champagne celebrations in the last three weeks, first for clinching a playoff berth and then twice for promotion.

Are there any other baseball players who are musicians?

Music is inextricably linked to the baseball experience, from the players’ walk-up songs to the eighth-inning sing-along like “Piano Man” or “Mr. Brightside” below Citi Field. So it shouldn’t be a big surprise Some ballplayers go to the studio.

It’s also not entirely unusual for them to have some chart success: baseball and football stars Deion Sanders’ The 1994 R&B rap album Prime Time reached No. 14 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and No. 70 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Former Yankee Bernie Williams’ The debut album “The Journey Within” from 2003 reached number 3 on the jazz album charts.

Who could remix “OMG” next?

There is no shortage of Mets musician fans: Nas name-checked the team a few times. Ad-Rock and MCA of the Beastie Boys were notable fans. Nicki Minaj is said to be a fan, according to MLB.com, having grown up in Queens. Billy Joel was the last to play in the Mets’ historic game Shea Stadium before its demolition.

No word on whether Grimace is entertaining a musical career, but the possibilities are endless.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Iglesias finished second in voting for the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year.

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AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed to this report.