On the final day of May, Jose Iglesias made his return to a major league game after a year removed.
He had one hit in four at-bats.
Nobody — not even Iglesias — knew then what a wild ride the next six weeks would produce.
Iglesias hasn’t stopped hitting since his call-up, the Mets have played their way into playoff position — they are 26-13 since that day — and his song, “OMG,” has become the team’s unofficial anthem, players holding up the “OMG” sign after every home run.
“I don’t think it could get better,” said the 34-year-old Iglesias, who spent last year in the minor leagues with the Marlins and Padres. “What can you ask for? The team is playing really well, everybody’s healthy heading to the break. It’s just a dream come true.”
Rockies on Sunday. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
The season got even better for Iglesias on Sunday, albeit in an 8-5 loss to the Rockies at Citi Field.
Iglesias announced he was invited by MLB to perform his hit song prior to Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Afterward, he will return home to Miami to spend the rest of the break with his family before the Mets return to action Friday against the Marlins.
“That’s a unique opportunity,” he said. “I’ve been an All-Star as a player, so now as a singer is pretty cool, right? It kind of surprised me. … I’m very humbled by the opportunity.”
Iglesias will be one of two Mets in Texas on Monday.
Pete Alonso is taking part in the derby, looking to win it a third time.
“I’m pretty sure he’s going to get it done,” Iglesias said. “He’s been there before.”
Iglesias continued his blistering pace in defeat.
He had four more hits and reached base in all five trips to the plate, upping his average to a ridiculous .380 and increasing his OPS to a sky-high .999 in 79 impressive at-bats.
The only thing that has gone wrong of late for Iglesias was him overrunning second base while trying to stretch a single into a double in the second inning on Sunday.
When asked how he can keep up his stunning offensive numbers, Iglesias laughed.
Nobody expected him to hit like this.
He was called up for his defense and experience, and has produced so much more than that.
“I feel like every day we’re saying something about this guy,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Another great day today. His ability to put the ball in play, two-strike approach, he’s a tough at-bat, and then the defense, not only at second base, at third base today [he made] a couple of great defensive plays.
“The energy, the passion, the care, there’s a lot to like about Jose right now.”