Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor revealed he texted Cal Raleigh before their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game and told him he was going to offer a fist bump, to which Raleigh responded "please don't." Josh Naylor walked up there, offered the fist bump, and Cal Raleigh stonewalled him exactly as discussed.
Naylor explained why there was nothing inherently petty about the incident during Team USA's 5-3 win at Daikin Park in Houston. Naylor had nothing but praise for Raleigh and doesn't consider Friday's viral WBC moment to be a big deal. "I like joking with my teammates and he's an awesome friend of mine," Naylor said. "So I love Cal and wish him the best."
This follows Raleigh's rejection of teammate Randy Arozarena's handshake attempt during the USA's game against Mexico, which generated significant controversy when Arozarena used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh, saying he could "f--- off" and "go to hell." Raleigh has made it clear he won't fraternize with players on opposing WBC teams, a policy that apparently extends to players who don Mariners colors during the MLB season.
Raleigh said there's "no beef" between him and his Mariners teammates, stating "When we get back to Seattle, he's my brother." According to a Seattle Times report, players on Team USA had agreed before the tournament not to fraternize with opponents.
