The Seattle Mariners fans are finding themselves caught up in an unexpected drama between Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena, and it's a saga that just won't fade away. The tension began during the World Baseball Classic when Raleigh refused a handshake with Arozarena after the USA and Mexico matchup. While Arozarena's comments included some colorful language that grabbed headlines, Raleigh's response was more subdued, leaving fans wondering what's really going on.
Arozarena, when approached by reporters, including Bob Nightengale from USA Today, chose not to comment on the situation. With Mexico out of the WBC following a 9-1 loss, Arozarena is set to return to Mariners camp, where questions about this odd tension are sure to arise.
Now, let's break down the situation. Some might say there's nothing substantial here, a "nothing burger" if you will.
Raleigh seemed unfazed by Arozarena's remarks, opting to take the high road. He hasn't fully explained why he avoided the handshake, but it's possible he was shielding Arozarena from scrutiny.
USA manager Mark DeRosa hinted that Arozarena was forewarned about Raleigh's decision not to fraternize during the WBC. This is backed by Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, who emphasized that Arozarena was supposedly in the know:
"Randy knew not to shake his hand."
This adds a new layer to the puzzle. Was Arozarena's handshake attempt a genuine gesture, or was it a bit of gamesmanship? Further complicating things is an Instagram post by Alek Thomas, Arozarena's teammate, showing the handshake snub with the caption, "Take things personally."
So, what's the real story? Is Arozarena genuinely offended, or is he playing up the drama?
Mariners coach Dan Wilson doesn't foresee this becoming a major issue. Teammates don't always need to be best friends to work together effectively.
In the end, this whole scenario feels unnecessary. Despite the time that's passed, the story lingers, leaving fans scratching their heads. Whether this fizzles out or not, one thing's for sure: the Mariners have bigger fish to fry as they prepare for the upcoming season.