Jose Iglesias, a former fan favorite with the New York Mets, returned to Citi Field on Tuesday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets' 5-2 loss to the Padres. He was met with a warm reception, including a standing ovation and a highlight video played on the big screen.
"It’s great, extremely happy to see smiles everywhere and the way they opened the door for me was special one more time," Iglesias said. "Extremely, extremely happy to be home. It’s a lot of emotions right now. Being in this part of the field, sitting on this bench reminds me of great moments."
Iglesias, 36, threw the first pitch to current Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. It was a strike. He was a key contributor to the 2024 Mets team that reached the NLCS.
Beyond his return to baseball, Iglesias is embarking on a new career phase. He is set to join the cast of the Broadway musical "Buena Vista Social Club" on Aug. 27 in the role of the narrator. This marks a historic moment, as he will be the first Latino MLB player to perform on Broadway.
"I did not expect that call at all. It was an automatic yes," Iglesias stated. "Coming back to New York and delivering the energy and now in this case representing Cuban music as an immigrant, it’s a privilege. I’m surrounded by great teammates. They support me on a daily basis, they know this is totally new for me. It’s a fun responsibility I have with my hands. I’m grabbing it with two hands like I would a ground ball and I won’t let it go."
In other Mets news, infielder Mark Vientos is nearing a rehabilitation assignment. Vientos took batting practice and ran the bases ahead of Tuesday's game. He has been sidelined since July 9 with a fractured right hand. Christopher Morel, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, started at third base. Morel, 27, has a history of strong performance, including significant power and athleticism, and the Mets are looking to capitalize on his potential.