How Cal Raleigh Responded To Randy Arozarena After USA-Mexico WBC Game

Cal Raleigh insisted Tuesday he has no beef with Randy Arozarena even though his Seattle Mariners teammate lashed out with a vulgar rant after Raleigh left him hanging for a handshake at the World Baseball Classic.

"I love Randy, I do," Raleigh told reporters outside the USA's dugout at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros. "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, you know, it’s just a competitive environment, and I know he would want the same for me when we’re on the team in playoff baseball."

The kerfuffle went viral when Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder playing for Mexico, cursed out Raleigh to a reporter after the Team USA catcher did not accept a handshake before an at-bat in the United States’ 5-3 win.

Speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, Arozarena said Raleigh "has to thank God that he has nice parents, well educated," and said he recently hugged them during a friendly greeting at the team hotel.

He then used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh before pivoting to English and saying Raleigh could shove his "good to see you" in his rear. Arozarena was born in Cuba but defected to Mexico to pursue an MLB career.

 (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Arozarena had reached down to greet Raleigh in his catcher's squat at home plate, and Raleigh declined to offer his hand back. Raleigh appeared to say something to Arozarena during the exchange at the plate that could have set off the Mexican star.

Arozarena appeared to be visibly upset at Raleigh, though it wasn’t totally clear if he was just having fun at his teammates’ expense. The pair have been teammates since