Double Threat

When Jose Iglesias isn’t bringing experience and an energetic vibe to the New York Mets’ middle infield at age 34, he’s giving a whole new meaning to the word “range.’’

Iglesias, a former All-Star infielder with more than 1,000 hits for seven teams over parts of 12 major-league seasons, is making a contribution for the Mets on the field and in the clubhouse while simultaneously pursuing a second career in the music business.

On Friday, Iglesias will share his skills as a vocalist when he drops a new single titled “OMG,” which he recorded at a studio in Miami during spring training. It’s the latest in a series of songs that Iglesias has shared on various platforms. “No Voy a Volver,’’ a duet that he recorded with fellow Cuban artist Lenier Mesa earlier this year, has generated about 2 million views on YouTube.

In recent years, Iglesias has cultivated connections in the music industry and taken strides to develop a dual professional identity. He’s friends with singer Marc Anthony and derives inspiration from his namesake Enrique Iglesias (no relation) and his pop tropical style of singing.

“He’s always had a passion for it, and now he feels like he’s closer to that career,’’ said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. “I’m excited for him. It’s going to be interesting. He’s got a ways to go, but he can definitely do it. He’s got a good nickname and he’s friends with Marc Anthony, so he definitely has a good mentor.’’

Iglesias recently discussed his passion for music and the single “OMG’’ with the MLBPA.

“I love the song,’’ he said. “It’s very energetic. It’s super cool. It’s fun and it’s catchy.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRzHD9i6CKQ

Your performing name is “Candelita.” How did that originate?

It’s from my hometown back in Cuba. I’ve always been called ‘Candelita,’ since I was eight years old. It means ‘Firecracker,’ because I always played with a lot of energy when I was growing up.

How important has music been in your life?

If you play baseball, you listen to music. It’s always on in the clubhouse. We were always listening to music. My dad used to play in a band. I have a lot of friends in the music industry. There were a lot of signs, and I said, ‘I’ve got to go for it.’

At the beginning of my baseball career, I chose to be 100% committed to the game. That's why I’ve been able to play over 12 years in the Show. But at this point it’s important to create a balance. A few players have been like, ‘Let it out. It’s fun.’ And that’s how I became public about it.

How much thought and effort has gone into this?

I have four songs on every platform. I’ve been putting together a team off the field in terms of music. The few videos I’ve released have been very well-accepted by people. They see me at the beginning as just a baseball player who wants to sing. But the sounds, the quality of the videos and the marketing I’ve been doing are completely legit in terms of the music industry. Now I have artists looking at me as an artist, not just a baseball player who’s singing. I’m taking every step the right way to respect the music industry.

Do you write your own songs? What is that process like?

It usually happens after games when I come back to the hotel. It depends on how I feel. If I’m happy, I’ll write something happy. I try to find a melody. It starts from there. It’s an emotion that you leave on a piece of paper. Or if a melody comes to mind, I’ll record it on the phone. After that you hire a producer, and we start working on the beats and the structure of the song. It’s a fun process.

At the beginning of my career, I would just come back to the hotel thinking, ‘Why did I strike out four times today?’ Now I'm more efficient with my time in terms of having fun. I’m not coming back to the hotel just thinking about baseball 24/7. I always try to find things that keep me sharp and positive over the course of the baseball season, which is already too long.

How do you compare the gratification of a successful day at the park with writing and performing a song?

They’re both special. When I write a song and I see all my teammates connecting with it and singing and dancing, it’s the same effect for me emotionally that I get when I get a double and everybody is celebrating. I love music. I think everybody loves music in general, regardless of what you do. I enjoy the process with both things and the reaction of people to both.

So where do you see this ultimately heading?

I can still play the game. I think I have a few years left in me. I would love to combine the two. I think it’s a unique situation and a very special situation for the fans. People will go to the stadium and not just see Jose Iglesias. They’ll go to see ‘Candelita,’ which is my artist name. Some will go for the baseball and some will go for the music. But at the end of the day they’re going for you, and that’s special.

It’s a great combo. I love both. I enjoy both. And I want to show that to the world.