The New York Mets are going through an irregular season that has unleashed criticism from all fronts and now, a voice with emotional authority in the locker room joins the conversation: infielder Jose Iglesias. In a recent interview after his return to Citi Field as a member of the San Diego Padres, the Cuban hinted that the atmosphere in the New York clubhouse is not the same as in 2024, when the team reached the National League Championship Series.
“I think last year we had a special connection. We were a close-knit group. There was no competition between us, we all wanted the other to shine,” Iglesias told the New York Post. His comment has reignited the perception that a lack of chemistry could be one of the key factors in the Mets’ slump during the second half of the season.
Jose Iglesias talks Mets 2024 and importance of clubhouse chemistry
Iglesias was one of the club’s most beloved figures in 2024, not only for his great performance on the field, hitting .337 with an OPS of .829 in 86 games, but also for his contagious energy off it. His musical alter ego “Candelita” even gave the team an unofficial anthem with the song OMG, which became the soundtrack of the locker room during a historic campaign.
I think they miss me, JD (Martinez) and Quintana. There was a really good vibe last year. We all had the same goal: to win
His comment points directly to a reality that many suspect, but few publicly confirm<. without morale-boosting figures> the team has lost the soul that drove it in 2024
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