Randy Arozarena apologizes for expletive-laced Cal Raleigh rant at WBC
· Yahoo Sports
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena has apologized for his tirade aimed at teammate Cal Raleigh over their handshake that wasn't in the World Baseball Classic.
While observing what was apparently Team USA policy during the tournament, Raleigh declined to shake Arozarena's hand before his first at-bat in the March 9 game between the U.S. and Mexico.
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The perceived snub sent Arozarena into an expletive-filled rant the next day in an interview with a Mexican journalist.
"How do you want me to respond to Cal Raleigh?" a fired-up Arozarena said in Spanish. "I want to tell him (expletive) you in four languages."
Raleigh attempted to defuse the situation the following day, telling reporters, "I love Randy, I do. I hate that this is a thing. There’s no beef. When we get back to Seattle, he’s my brother."
Sure enough, that's what happened.
Arozarena released a statement on Saturday, March 21, through the Mariners.
"I understand that with opening day a few days away, I don't want it to be a distraction," Arozarena said. "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."
Arozarena and Raleigh have returned to the Mariners and all is apparently well as the team prepares for its regular season opener on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians.
"It was really good walking in the door and seeing everybody," Raleigh said Saturday. "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."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Randy Arozarena apologizes to teammate Cal Raleigh for WBC rant