What M’s manager Wilson said about Randy, Raleigh WBC issue

The Seattle Mariners find themselves the talk of the baseball world Tuesday morning due to an unclear situation involving outfielder Randy Arozarena and catcher Cal Raleigh stemming from the Mexico-USA World Baseball Classic contest on Monday night.

M’s teammates Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh at center of WBC controversy

As Arozarena stepped up to hit in the first inning of the game in Houston, he extended his hand to Raleigh. But Raleigh didn’t shake it, and instead said something to Arozarena, who leaned over to hear it.

According to Arozarena after the game, which the USA won 5-3, Raleigh said “good to see you.” But everything else in Arozarena’s postgame interview, which was in Spanish and posted online by the Our Esquina outlet, is harder to make sense of. It’s clear he made some pointed, expletive-laden comments directed toward Raleigh, but whether or not he was completely serious is as of yet unknown.

Back at Mariners spring training camp in Peoria, Ariz., manager Dan Wilson addressed the situation during his daily media session Tuesday morning. At that point, Wilson had not had a chance to speak with either player, but he indicated that he doesn’t think it will result in any lingering clubhouse hostilities when the players return from the WBC.

“I think these guys are incredible athletes because of their competitiveness, and that’s where they’re at and that’s why they’ve gotten to the level that they’ve gotten,” Wilson said. “But I also know that our team loves each other deeply. That’s one of the key ingredients we have in that clubhouse is how much they love each other. And so I don’t anticipate this being any bit of an issue.”

Wilson added that he wanted to be able to “just talk to them both” Tuesday.

“I know how much these guys love each other and not concerned,” he said. “… Again, these guys are competitive by nature and that’s what athletes are and that’s what they do. But this group that we have in this clubhouse is so tight, and like I said, they love each other and when they get together, it’s go time.”

Asked if the WBC could perhaps heighten the intensity between opposing players, Wilson again pointed to the inherent competitiveness it takes to be a professional ballplayer.

“I mean, competitiveness is competitiveness. You know, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s (a) backyard game, whatever. You know, these guys are competitive. But like I said, I think the love that they have for each other will outshine it,” Wilson said. “… Just knowing these personalities and understanding the players and the guys involved, you know how much they appreciate each other, how much they respect each other, and I know that’s going to win out.”

We’ll see if we hear from Raleigh before Team USA takes on Italy at 6 p.m. Tuesday as the Americans look to finish Pool B play with a perfect 4-0 record. Arozarena and Team Mexico are off until they wrap up Pool B action at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Italy. The USA has already qualified for the quarterfinals of the WBC, while Mexico will need to beat Italy for the second and final spot out of the pool to the next round.

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