Raleigh and Arozarena: Fight at the WBC? The catcher clarifies “no problem”

Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena: Rift in the World Baseball Classic?

Team USA catcher Cal Raleigh has stated that there is no conflict with his Seattle Mariners teammate, Randy Arozarena, despite an incident that occurred during the World Baseball Classic game against Mexico. Arozarena, visibly annoyed, reacted energetically after Raleigh didn’t reciprocate a greeting before a batting turn. “I love Randy. Really,” Raleigh declared. “I hate that this is a problem. There is no problem. When we go back to Seattle, he’s my brother. We are family. I’ve already contacted him, so it’s just a competitive environment and I know he would want the same for me when we are on the team and in the playoffs. I only have a responsibility to my teammates here right now and to my country, and emotions are running high.” The incident occurred during the United States’ victory over Mexico, where Arozarena, who is an All-Star player, tried to greet Raleigh, but it was not reciprocated. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, American catcher Will Smith had made the same gesture when Arozarena greeted him.

I love Randy. Really. I hate that this is a problem. There is no problem.

Cal Raleigh

In statements to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert, Arozarena used vulgar language to insult Raleigh, saying he could “go to hell” and “to hell.” Arozarena added that Raleigh told him “I’m glad to see you,” and that Raleigh “can shove it up his ass.” Raleigh confirmed that he spoke with Arozarena on Tuesday and that “this is no big deal. So we are good friends and we will continue to be good friends and I think we are just enjoying competing against each other at the moment.” It’s still unclear whether Arozarena, born in Cuba but naturalized Mexican, was genuinely upset or simply joking with Raleigh, who set a home run record for a catcher last year with 60. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa revealed that Raleigh had spoken with Arozarena before the game about not putting Raleigh in a position that could offend his American teammates when responding to Arozarena’s greetings. Although Raleigh acknowledged the incident before Team USA’s final group stage game against Italy, he did not answer reporters’ questions after making a statement.

The Mariners manager, Dan Wilson, also spoke about it, stating that he hoped to speak with Arozarena and Raleigh soon. “These guys are incredible athletes because of their competitiveness, and that’s where they are, and that’s why they’ve reached the level they have,” Wilson said. “But I also know that our team deeply loves each other, and that’s one of the key ingredients we have in that locker room, how much they love each other. So I don’t anticipate this being a problem.”