Arozarena and Raleigh: A Pending Greeting in the World Baseball Classic
A curious moment occurred during the match between the United States and Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Outfielder Randy Arozarena tried to greet his Seattle teammate, catcher Cal Raleigh, but the gesture was not reciprocated. The incident took place as Arozarena approached the plate during the game held at Daikin Park. The Mexican player extended his hand, seeking a handshake or a fist bump with Raleigh, who was in the catcher position for the American team. However, Raleigh did not respond to the greeting. This is not the first time Arozarena has experienced a similar situation in the tournament. In the 2023 edition, the slugger tried to greet American catcher Will Smith, who also did not reciprocate the gesture. The episode unfolded in the context of an intense confrontation between two teams that have built a strong rivalry in the championship. On this occasion, the United States took the victory with a score of 5-3, improving their record to 3-0 in the group stage. Although the moment generated reactions among fans and on social media, these types of situations are usually linked to the competitive spirit of the tournament and do not necessarily reflect conflicts off the field.Cal Raleigh refuses to shake hands with his Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena
Similar cases have been seen during the championship. In a recent match between Australia and the Czech Republic in Tokyo, Australian receiver Robbie Perkins also avoided shaking a rival’s hand, later stating that it was just a matter of competition within the game. Despite this, the incident between Arozarena and Raleigh became one of the most talked-about moments of the day in the World Baseball Classic.
