Image Source: Arc1294, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What was the Accusation?
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh faced criticism during the 2026 World Baseball Classic after declining to shake hands with Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena when Arozarena came to the plate for Mexico against the United States on March 9 in Houston. Arozarena extended his hand toward Raleigh, who was crouched behind home plate, but Raleigh did not reciprocate. The brief exchange went viral and prompted speculation that there was tension between two prominent players who would soon return to the same Major League Baseball clubhouse.
The incident drew additional attention after Arozarena responded in a postgame interview with Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert, using profanity while criticizing Raleigh. Although it was initially unclear how seriously Arozarena intended the comments, Raleigh addressed the controversy the following day. He rejected the suggestion that the two Mariners had a personal feud, emphasized his affection and respect for Arozarena, and said he had already contacted him privately. Raleigh explained his behavior as part of his competitive approach while representing the United States, saying the World Baseball Classic games mattered and that he felt a responsibility to remain focused on his teammates, his country, and winning the tournament.
Raleigh also offered a qualified apology for how the interaction had been perceived, telling Arozarena that he was sorry if his teammate had felt disrespected. At the same time, he maintained that his refusal to shake hands was not evidence of personal hostility. MLB.com noted that catchers can have a practical reason for avoiding contact with a hitter’s batting gloves because of pine tar or other substances, although Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said avoiding fraternization with opponents was not a team-wide policy. Raleigh repeatedly characterized the controversy as being larger in public perception than it was between the two players.
The issue resurfaced before the Major League Baseball season when Arozarena publicly apologized for his own postgame comments. On March 22, he said that he and Raleigh had talked, described them as brothers and teammates, and said he did not want the controversy to become a distraction as Opening Day approached. Raleigh likewise said the two had talked everything out, that both were sorry, and that the dispute was in the past. Their responses reframed the viral confrontation as a moment of heightened international competition rather than an enduring personal conflict between Mariners teammates.
Cal Raleigh’s Initial Response to the Handshake Controversy (March 10, 2026):
“I hate that this is a thing. I really don’t think this is a big deal, a big story. It shouldn’t be a thing. I love Randy. I have all the respect for him and Team Mexico.”
“I already reached out to him personally, to talk with him. And obviously, when we’re back in Seattle, we’re family, we’re brothers, and I’ll do anything for him. I’ll do anything for our team to win.”
“I reached out to Randy and told him, essentially, ‘I’m sorry if you felt disrespected,’ or whatever it may be. But we’re just playing the game. I think he would want the same if I was his teammate and we were playing somebody in a playoff game. Or he’d want that same kind of energy from me. So I think that’s kind of how I see it. And I reached out and put it to bed.”
“To me, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. But these games do matter. I think it’s important to each individual’s country; the emotions are running high. They’re not just exhibition games. These are super important. And I have a responsibility to my teammates and my country to be locked in and focused each game and do everything I can to win. And like I said, I’m here to win the World Baseball Classic for my country.”
Randy Arozarena’s Statement (March 22, 2026):
“I understand that with Opening Day a few days away, I don’t want it to be a distraction. Cal and I have talked and I apologized for what I said after the game. Nothing in the WBC takes away from the fact that we are brothers and teammates. He’s family, and we are both focused on helping the Mariners win the World Series.”
Cal Raleigh’s Follow-Up Response (March 22, 2026):
“We talked it out, and everything went great. Randy knows that I love him, and he’s a brother, and it’s in the past and none of us are carrying this forward. We’re in a good spot. We talked it out. We were both sorry, and we both got in a good place and we’re both happy to be here, too. It was really good walking in the door and seeing everybody. As fun as [the WBC] was, it was nice to feel back here. It feels like the family’s all back together in a way.”
