MLB Star José Iglesias Makes History With Broadway Musical Debut

Major League Baseball veteran José Iglesias is officially a Broadway actor. The New York Mets infielder, who records Latin pop tracks under the moniker Candelita, recently took the stage at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre for the hit production *Buena Vista Social Club*. The Cuban-born athlete stepped into the role of the Narrator and lent his vocals to the ensemble performance of the classic song "El Cuarto de Tula." Legenday athletes like Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, and Ty Cobb previously appeared on Broadway playing themselves decades ago. However, Iglesias made history as the very first Latin MLB athlete to join a Broadway cast as an actual theatrical character.

Is Jose Iglesias Candelita?

The baseball star admitted the casting call took him completely by surprise. Reports indicate that when producers initially reached out with the offer, he assumed someone was playing a practical joke. Once he realized the team was genuinely inviting him to join the Tony and Grammy-winning show, he jumped at the chance to showcase his vocal talents. The stage milestone comes on the heels of a massive musical breakthrough for the infielder. Before treading the boards on the Great White Way, the athlete landed a number-one hit on a Billboard chart with his catchy Latin pop single "OMG." His success as a recording artist runs parallel to a 13-season major league career that includes stints with the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets.

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What role does Jose Iglesias play in Buena Vista Social Club?

For the ballplayer, taking the stage represents a major personal achievement beyond his athletic legacy. Iglesias shared that stepping into the cast allowed him to honor his Cuban roots on a world-class platform, noting that he takes immense pride in representing millions of Cubans through both professional sports and live performance.