Baseball has a certain rhythm to it.
America's game is teeming with melodies, from the Hans Zimmer-like explosion when bat kisses ball to the dulcet tone of an outfielder giving chase to a wounded dove in shallow centerfield. If Casey weren't at the bat, he very well could have been in the recording studio, instead.
Music and baseball are inextricably linked; batters strut toward home plate soundtracked by their hand-picked song of choice, while the seventh inning stretch is defined not by the physical release of years of tension through contortion, but rather by stirring renditions of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
It's in this context that the shadowy musical talent, Candelita, was cultivated. His identity goes undetected beyond the masses of baseball fans lining up during his performances. But his mere existence presupposes the value of musicality in the sport which he loves so dearly: Baseball.
So, just who is Candelita? And just why is his music making waves at MLB games of all places?
The Sporting News has you covered.
Who is Candelita?
Candelita is the stage name of Mets infielder Jose Iglesias.
A big-league veteran, Iglesias has always had in interest in creating Latin pop. The Cuban-American revealed that he became interested in the craft shortly after defecting from Cuba as an 18-year old. Over the years, he has entrenched himself into a number of musical networks, forming a close-knit bond with Latin music superstar Marc Anthony, among others. The two are so tight, in fact, that Iglesias and Anthony sport matching tattoos on their forearms.
Iglesias has invested ample time and money into the venture, standing on the shoulders of big leaguers past who have moonlit as musicians in their free time including Bernie Williams, Barry Zito and Deion Sanders.
“I love music," Iglesias said, per MLB.com. "That’s what I do in my down time in my hotels, in my travels. I write songs. It’s pretty cool. It’s something fun that I really enjoy doing.”
Iglesias has produced a series of high-profile tunes as of late, none more notable than "OMG", a steel drum-infused banger that has taken the internet by storm in recent weeks.
The track, released on June 28, has garnered more than 300,000 plays on both Spotify and YouTube. It's also taken Iglesias to the top of the Mets' charts; he was tasked with performing the ditty in front of the New York faithful (and his Mets teammates) after its release.
"The man's doing it right now," Mets first baseman Pete Alonso said, per MLB.com. "We love to have him. He's a great guy. He deserves all the success on the field and off the field with his music career."
José Iglesias just performed 'OMG' at Citi Field after the Mets win pic.twitter.com/WtwzeyyCWV
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 29, 2024
Jose Iglesias OMG Mets song
Candelita OMG lyrics in English
It seems Candelita is spreading a message of peace and prosperity with his most high-profile tune, with "OMG's" lyrics aiming to uplift disciples of the Mets' utility man's music.
OMG, throw all the bad things away from here
OMG, give me health and prosperity
I have nothing, but I am happy
Only memories inhabit me
Dreams to fulfill and I’m going to achieve them
Maybe I’m Crazy, but not lazy
And I will keep going until I achieve it
OMG, throw all the bad things away from here
OMG, give me health and prosperity
Let all the planets align for me
May my wallet not go on a diet anymore
May good luck visit me
To help all my people
OMG, throw all the bad things away from here
OMG, give me health and prosperity
I have to give thanks for one more day of life
For the friends who are few today
Don’t do evil because everything turns around
One day you’re down, the next you’re up
Dreams to fulfill and I’m going to achieve them
Maybe I’m Crazy, but not lazy
And I will keep going until I achieve it
OMG
Candelita
OMG
Mauro
Tell them, Guianko
OMG, throw all the bad things away from here
OMG, give me health and prosperity
Let the evil tongues have no chance
And let envy not reach me
May time always be my witness
I only do good, that’s why I ask
OMG
Fight for your dreams
Because yes, you can
OMG
And when you don’t find the way out
Sing with me
OMG, throw all the bad things away from here
OMG, give me health and prosperity
Candelita meaning
Candelita means small candle in English. It can also be considered somewhat analogous to a firecracker, perhaps a testament to Iglesias' style of play on the diamond.
