HOUSTON — Team USA catcher Cal Raleigh mentioned there’s “no beef” between him and Seattle Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena, who unleashed an expletive-laced screed after Raleigh declined to dap him up earlier than an at-bat within the United States’ World Baseball Classic recreation towards Mexico on Monday night time.
“I love Randy. I do,” Raleigh mentioned. “I hate that this is a thing. There’s no beef. When we get back to Seattle, he’s my brother. We’re family. I already reached out to him, so it’s just a competitive environment and I know he would want the same for me when we’re on the team and playoff baseball. I just have a responsibility for my teammates here right now and my country, and emotions are running high.”
Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder, seemingly lashed out on the American League MVP runner-up after Arozarena reached down towards Raleigh and the gesture was not reciprocated within the United States’ 5-3 victory over Mexico. In the 2023 WBC, U.S. catcher Will Smith had executed the identical when Arozarena acknowledged him earlier than an at-bat.
Speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, Arozarena used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh, saying he may “f— off” and “go to hell.” Arozarena added that Raleigh informed him “good to see you” — and that Raleigh “can shove it straight up his ass.”
Raleigh mentioned he spoke with Arozarena on Tuesday and “this isn’t a big deal at all. So we’re good friends and we’ll continue to be good friends and I think we’re just enjoying competing against each other right now.”
It stays unclear whether or not Arozarena, who was born in Cuba however defected to Mexico and have become a Mexican citizen in 2022, was genuinely upset with Raleigh or trolling the Mariners’ chief, who set a report for house runs by a catcher final yr with 60. The pair have been teammates since Arozarena was traded from Tampa Bay to Seattle throughout the 2024 season.
Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa mentioned Raleigh had spoken with Arozarena earlier than the sport about not placing Raleigh ready to probably offend his U.S. teammates by acknowledging Arozarena’s entreaties. While Raleigh acknowledged the incident previous to Team USA’s pool-play finale Tuesday towards Italy, he didn’t take questions from reporters after giving a press release.
Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson, who was requested in regards to the alternate later Tuesday, mentioned he hoped to talk quickly with Arozarena and Raleigh.
“These guys are incredible athletes because of their competitiveness, and that’s where they’re at, and that’s why they’ve gotten to the level that they’ve gotten,” Wilson informed reporters, in accordance with The Seattle Times. “But I also know that our team loves each other deeply, and that’s one of the key ingredients we have in that clubhouse, is how much they love each other. So I don’t anticipate this being any bit of an issue.”
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run shot to stake the United States a 5-0 lead, which it held at hand Mexico its first WBC loss. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and can meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday night time, in search of to safe a spot within the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.
Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico (2-1), which can face Italy on Wednesday night time within the final recreation of Pool B play that seemingly will decide the second staff to advance.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
