From Ballpark to Broadway: How José Iglesias Made History as a Latin MLB Star

José Iglesias is living the kind of career that most people only dream about. The Cuba-born former Major League Baseball player has already proven himself as a Latin pop sensation with his project Candelita, which saw his 2024 single“OMG”hit number one on Billboard’s Latin Digital Song Sales chart. But this summer, he’s taking on yet another challenge that will cement his legacy in entertainment history: performing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Buena Vista Social Club. Starting August 27th, Iglesias will step into the role of The Narrator, becoming the first Latin Major League Baseball player ever to perform on the Great White Way.

The Buena Vista Social Club musical is no small production. It’s earned five Tony Awards and a 2026 Grammy for best musical theater album, celebrating the legacy of the legendary Afro-Cuban band that inspired it. For Iglesias, taking on this role feels deeply personal. In interviews, he’s expressed that representing the band and Cuban heritage on Broadway is a dream come true, something that connects directly to his own roots and identity. The production’s director and producers have praised his authenticity and charisma, noting that it’s rare for someone to conquer one of the world’s biggest entertainment stages before stepping onto Broadway. Yet Iglesias has done exactly that, moving seamlessly from professional baseball to music stardom to theater in a way that feels genuinely earned.

What makes this moment particularly significant is what it represents for representation and possibility. Iglesias isn’t just performing in a hit show; he’s breaking barriers and opening doors for other athletes and entertainers from Latin communities. His success across three major entertainment industries proves that talent, authenticity, and ambition can transcend any single field. The six-week run from August 27 to October 4, 2026, is shaping up to be unmissable. Are you planning to catch José Iglesias on Broadway, or would you love to see him perform as Candelita at a music venue instead?