Iglesias performs 'OMG' for kids -- next stop, Home Run Derby

NEW YORK -- Jose Iglesias' next big "OMG" performance will be at the Home Run Derby.

Iglesias is headed to the All-Star Game in Texas to perform "OMG" live on Monday as part of the festivities to kick off the Derby at Globe Life Field. Then, he'll cheer on his All-Star Mets teammate, Pete Alonso, as he goes for a third Derby championship.

"I've gotten the privilege to make the All-Star Game as a player, and now as a singer," Iglesias said. "I'm very humbled about it."

The Mets infielder -- aka Candelita, Latin pop sensation -- revealed the news following Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Rockies at Citi Field, when he surprised the Mr. and Mrs. Met's Kids Club before the Mets' first-half finale against the Rockies and taught his young fans the lyrics to his new hit song.

And now Alonso can't wait to hear Iglesias belt out "OMG" before he steps into the batter's box on Monday night.

"Any time we hear the song 'Oh My God' -- and we love hearing it -- there's always been a ton of homers," Alonso said after Sunday's first-half finale. "I'm excited for him to perform -- it's great for him. But it's going to be really exciting to have him there."

"OMG" has become the Mets' anthem during the team's red-hot streak over the last month and a half -- which just so happens to coincide with Iglesias joining the team.

"It's fun. When you win, definitely it's fun," Iglesias said. "It's a special energy going around. You can't deny that. We've just got to continue to ride that wave. People are connecting with the energy that is going on right now, and that's what it's all about. It's a long season -- you've got to keep it fun, you've got to keep it loose, you've got to keep it 'Oh My God.'"

Since the journeyman infielder made his Mets debut on May 31, New York is an MLB-best 26-13. The Mets enter the All-Star break in playoff position, holding the third National League Wild Card spot. Iglesias said he'd take that over "OMG" topping the charts any day.

"Mets, all day long," Iglesias said. "There is no OMG without the Mets. There is no OMG, there is no nothing, without this great team, the great fans we have. This is about the energy. This is about getting going as a team, continuing to enjoy this great vibe that we have at the stadium."

Iglesias has been using "OMG" as his walk-up song, and he even put on a live concert at Citi Field after the Mets' game on June 28. Iglesias' Mets teammates are Candelita's No. 1 fans, and Iglesias has rapidly become a fan favorite in New York, thanks both to his song going viral and his performance on the field (Iglesias is batting .380 with a .999 OPS).

"The man's doing it right now," Alonso said. "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."

Iglesias doesn't take any of that for granted, especially the outpouring of support from the Mets community. He loved giving the Mr. and Mrs. Met's Kids Club a taste of "OMG" on Sunday, and spent time answering questions and signing autographs for the youngest generation of Candelita fans.

"To see their expressions, see them dancing to my song, it's unique," Iglesias said. "The fans, the love that we've been getting in here, that's what it's all about."

Now Iglesias is taking "OMG" to the national stage -- where he hopes the song will be a good-luck charm for Alonso, who won the Home Run Derby in both 2019 and '21, and could join Ken Griffey Jr. as the only three-time Derby champions.

Actually, Iglesias guarantees it will be a good-luck charm for Alonso.

"A hundred percent. A hundred percent," Iglesias said. "[The Derby] will be really cool for Pete, and I'm pretty sure he's gonna get it done. He's been there before."