The Seattle Mariners are making headlines at the World Baseball Classic, but not necessarily for their on-field performance. Recently, Team USA faced Mexico, and two familiar MLB faces crossed paths at the plate.
When Randy Arozarena stepped up to bat, he offered a friendly handshake to his Mariners teammate, catcher Cal Raleigh. Raleigh didn’t return the gesture, though he appeared to say something to Arozarena as he leaned in to hear him.
Following the game, in which Team USA defeated Mexico for the first time since 2006, Arozarena commented on the interaction, prompting a response from Raleigh.
Mariner Arozarena Comments on Handshake Drama
In an interview with journalist Luis Gilbert, Arozarena, 31, expressed his frustration with the catcher.
“That ‘good to see you’ that he said to me? He can shove it straight up his a–. I’m out.”
Arozarena also reportedly told Gilbert that Raleigh could “f— off” and “go to he–.” While it’s unclear if he made the comments in the heat of competition or in a more playful manner, they drew public attention.
Catcher Raleigh Speaks Up
According to the Seattle Times, Raleigh addressed the incident over a zoom call.
“Just thinking about it, I hate that this is a thing,” he said. “I really don’t think this is a big deal, a big story. It shouldn’t be a thing. You know, I love Randy. I have all the respect for him and Team Mexico. I already reached out to him personally to talk with him. And obviously, when we’re back in Seattle, we’re family, we’re brothers, and I’ll do anything for him. I’ll do anything for our team to win. To me, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”
“But these games do matter. I think they’re important to each individual’s country. Emotions are running high. They’re not just exhibition games. These are super important. I have a responsibility to my teammates and my country to be locked in and focused each game and do everything I can to win. I’m here to win the World Baseball Classic for my country. I’m not too worried about this.”
“I reached out to Randy and I told him, essentially, sorry if you felt disrespected or whatever it may be,” Raleigh said. “We’re just playing the game. I think he would want the same if I was his teammate and we were playing somebody in a playoff game. He’d want that same kind of energy for me. That’s kind of how I see it, and I reached out and put it to bed. You know, I think we’re, I love Randy. Like I said, I got no beef at all.”
“There’s no beef,” he added. “I love Randy. When we’re back in Seattle, he’s my brother, he’s family. We’re all in it together, just like I’m here right now with Team USA. It is what it is. I got no hard feelings toward him.”
Raleigh’s comments make it clear that, despite the tension during the game, the two Mariners remain teammates and share a common goal of a World Series win as opening day draws near.
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