WATCH: Cal Raleigh refuses to shake hands with Randy Arozarena during Team USA win over Mexico

Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena are teammates on the Seattle Mariners. They share a clubhouse, they play 162 games together, they are fighting for the same playoff spot every September.

However, on Monday night in Houston, Cal Raleigh would not shake his hand.

Randy Arozarena came to the plate for Mexico and Cal Raleigh, catching for Team USA, refused to extend the usual pleasantry. Arozarena was greeted with no handshake and honestly, not much of an acknowledgment either.

Just a catcher locked in on beating his own teammate in an international baseball tournament. The clip went viral immediately.

Cal Raleigh Refused to Shake Randy Arozarena’s Hand:

Cal Raleigh declines handshake with Seattle teammate, Randy Arozarena #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/bBT1JsAuW4

— 🍓 Strawbarry Bonds 11:11 💫 (@EvaLaMorte) March 10, 2026

Some people explained it as Raleigh not wanting pine tar on Arozarena’s batting gloves or wrists to transfer onto Paul Skenes. That is a reasonable practical explanation but also, who cares about the explanation.

Also, before anyone even tries to bring it up:

The worst narrative of the World Baseball Classic is that the Americans aren’t having fun 😂. You’re all idiots.

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) March 10, 2026

This is exactly the energy you want from the World Baseball Classic.

No friends or teammates with your opponent. No loyalty to your MLB clubs and in this case, no Mariners brotherhood. Just USA vs. Mexico for three hours and the rest will sorted out later.

This is what separates the WBC from a meaningless exhibition. These guys actually care. Cal Raleigh is not out there going through the motions and shaking hands with every player he knows that steps up to the plate. He’s locked in like it’s October and last night, Mariners teammates or not, Randy Arozarena is the opposition.

USA won 5-3. Cal Raleigh gets the bragging rights. Mexico now needs to beat Italy on Wednesday just to control their own fate.

Team USA beats Mexico 5-3, WBC delivers everything it promised

When the tournament ends Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena will go back to being teammates and trying to drag Seattle to the playoffs together but for that one night in Houston, Raleigh looked right through him.

Love to see it.

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