One of the strangest controversies to emerge from the 2026 World Baseball Classic appears to be over.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena released a statement Saturday saying he has apologized to star catcher Cal Raleigh for the handshake controversy during the game, via Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times:
“I know we’re days away from Opening Day and I don’t want it to distract me. Carl and I have talked and I apologize for what I said after the game. Nothing in the WBC can take away from the fact that we are brothers and teammates. He is family and we are all focused on helping the Mariners win a World Series.”
The incident occurred when Arozarena’s Mexican team faced Raleigh and the United States in a pool match. As Arozarena reached the plate, he extended a hand to shake Rowley’s hand, but the defending American League home run champion refused to respond.
It seemed like an innocuous moment, or even unprecedented, as Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacted in kind when Arozarena pulled the move during the 2023 WBC game, but it soon became apparent how much more this meant for Arozarena.
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After the game, the two-time All-Star said his teammates should “fuck off” and “go to hell.”
If you’re a Mariners fan, this might be a bit concerning, although both Rowley and Mariners head coach Dan Wilson downplayed the incident in the aftermath. Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor also decided to play the role of a clown when Canada faced off against the United States, jokingly making the same offer to Rowley.
With everyone heading back to spring training, things appear to be settled. Both Raleigh and Arozarena are important pieces for the Mariners in 2026, a season in which the club is -105 to win the AL West and tied for third at +1,300 to win the World Series at BetMGM.
