​NEW YORK — Jose Iglesias found a way to ignite the Mets clubhouse and its fan base as soon as he entered the fray during the 2024 season.The veteran infielder infused a badly-needed energy and leadership with the Mets fading in the standings. By the end of the campaign, with his Latin pop hit “OMG” serving as the team’s soundtrack, the Mets fired their way into the National League Championship Series.Now, two years later, Iglesias is bringing that passion and energy into a far different setting than the baseball diamond, just down the road on Broadway.The 36-year-old will become the first Major League Baseball player to perform on Broadway when he takes the role of Narrator in “Buena Visa Social Club” for a six-week stint starting on Aug. 27 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.”It’s very smooth. The energy, it’s an excellent musical. I’m surrounded by great teammates over there,” Iglesias said before throwing out the first pitch ahead of the Mets’ game on Tuesday at Citi Field. “They support me on a daily basis. They know this is totally new for me.”I believe it’s the first time in MLB history that a Latin player is acting on Broadway. It’s a fun responsibility that I have in my hands. I’m grabbing it with two hands, just like a ground ball, and then I won’t let it go.”Jose Iglesias’ tough departure from MetsWhen Iglesias was called up to the Mets on May 31, 2024, the Mets found themselves at 10 games under .500.Iglesias proved to be one of the catalysts for an improbable rise. They closed the season with a 67-40 record and secured a playoff berth on the season’s final day.The infielder turned out to be as clutch as any player in the league, delivering a .375/.419/.482 slash line with runners in scoring position and a .337 batting average in 85 games before the run to the NLCS.”The way how things started that year and how we flipped it as a team, it was unique,” Iglesias said. “It’s what baseball’s about, that culture, that family energy and competing. We never gave up. Regardless of the results, we never gave up as a group and we really love each other as human beings.”The way that team galvanized to make a deep run made Iglesias’ realization that he would not be back all the tougher.Iglesias had been looking for apartments in New York City, but a call from the Mets never came, and he eventually signed a minor league deal with the Padres in March 2025.”I personally don’t have to agree with it, but I respect their decisions completely,” Iglesias said. “But just detaching me with this organization hurt me. That’s true. I really enjoy being around these guys. And that goes way beyond the ninth inning. That goes way beyond a baseball season. It’s a personal feeling and a special relationship that I have, not just with the players but with the staff, with the security, with everybody around the stadium. It was a family energy that I definitely miss.”Jose Iglesias finding his footing on Broadway StageThe call did not come from a