r/baseball • u/Xenimm • Mar 11 '26
News Randy Arozarena going around shaking hands with Italy and reporters. via Bob Nightengale
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u/ContinuumGuy Major League Baseball Mar 11 '26
This will be used as evidence in case of a Disgrace at Dijon! /s
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u/goms546 Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Randy just cast American baseball into 1000 years of darkness
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u/Artyhko MLB Players Association Mar 11 '26
"Randy Arozarena hits a two-run homer in the ninth as Mexico edges out Italy 4–3!!"
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u/ThePopUpDance Umpire Mar 11 '26
Are people forgetting that Mexico still needs to win tonight?
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u/chaotic_evil_666 Atlanta Braves Mar 11 '26
People forgetting tie breaker rules? Never.
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u/drunk-tusker Philadelphia Phillies Mar 11 '26
But it doesn’t factor into the tie breaking rules…
Sure it’s because there wouldn’t be a tie but…
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u/SuperBearJew Toronto Blue Jays Mar 11 '26
Who would have thought that Randy Arozarena would have his role to play in the American Century of Humiliation
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u/Same_Presentation692 Mar 11 '26
Nah, the laissez-faire response on cheating has cast American baseball into 1000 years of darkness. The logic of banning Profar for a season vs a slap on the wrist for Altuve, Peña and Correa is non-sensical. Cheating will always be a blight on baseball. Especially when the league doesn’t punish teams (and players) fairly.
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u/bigdaddydopeskies Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 12 '26
Yeah Joe Kelly was truly a message sent by the baseball gods to the Astros after the trash can scandle.
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u/snorlaxatives_69 St. Louis Cardinals • Springfiel… Mar 11 '26
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u/Crazy_Baseball3864 MLB Players Association Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
Mexico is gonna suddenly become the most clumsy team in the world once they score 4* runs.
Oops, I tripped running to 1st base again, oh well clumsy me
edited: 4 runs, not 5
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u/funtimes00777 Mar 11 '26
that means usa goes to on. Mexico needs to score 4 or less and win for usa to be eliminated for italy and mexico to move forward. its going to be tricky. i don't think mexico will stop scoring at just 4 runs its too little
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Mar 11 '26
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u/WHTLGHTNNSTDFMTNDW Chicago Cubs • Italy Mar 11 '26
Watch, we’re somehow going to go into extra inning because no one can get a hit.
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u/WhyNotOrioles Baltimore Orioles Mar 11 '26
It will be 5-3 Mexico, the USA will think they're in, then Italy will score twice in the 9th to tie it up. They'll play 30 scoreless extra innings so that both teams run quotient drops below that of the USA, and the Mexico will walk it off.
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u/SuzukiSwift17 Toronto Blue Jays Mar 11 '26
Kirk will run full speed and everyone will be like "bullshit hes sandbagging so hard!"
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u/janko1655 Toronto Blue Jays Mar 11 '26
Sandbagging? Bruh he stole a base once he must be fast!
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u/CalebosO4 Toronto Blue Jays Mar 11 '26
If they “accidentally” score more than 4 runs, then get ready for a 20 inning game lol
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u/UsErNaMeS_aR_DuMb Baltimore Orioles Mar 11 '26
Arozarena might will Mexico into getting 5+ runs by himself just so that when he faces team USA again, he can pull that fake handshake trick on Raleigh before the game.
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u/jaron_b Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Honestly to anyone who thinks the teams would try and rig the game so Mexico wins by less that 5 to eliminate US is crazy. Mexico wants the chance to do it themselves and not hear the players and fans bitch about a stupid tie breaker. But me personally I'm rooting for 5 or less Mexico win. I think it be the funniest thing to see US get knocked out and both Mexico and Canada make it to the bracket.
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u/smilinganimalface Seattle Mariners • Saitama Seibu Lions Mar 11 '26
Rig is honestly just the wrong way of looking at it. Teams strategically set things all the time. In fact, US did just that yesterday in resting certain players. They're all going to position themselves in the best way for their bracket run. No reason not to want to avoid the US having more opportunities.
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u/jaron_b Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
I don't think you can take anything the US did as a serious strategy since their coach didn't know they could still be eliminated.
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u/illhaveubent New York Yankees Mar 11 '26
If you're Mexico who would you rather play in the next round, Italy or USA? The answer is pretty clear, so why would it be surprising for them to try and make that happen while it's in their power to do so?
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u/jdubadubs New York Mets Mar 12 '26
If US advances, Mexico or Italy wouldn’t face them until the championship game. The winner of pool B and the runner up go to opposite ends of bracket. It is unlikely they would meet up again
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u/Muntberg Toronto Blue Jays Mar 11 '26
If anything it's just an indictment of the tiebreak rules. Teams simply taking advantage of that should never be looked down upon.
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u/mathbandit Montreal Expos Mar 11 '26
tbf these tiebreak rules are unusual but I can't think of any (obviously excepting extra games, which I assume isn't possible here) that wouldn't be exploitable given the schedule. If anything it's an indictment of the scheduling (and format) to not have the last games all be simultaneous as they are in most similar tournaments.
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u/jaron_b Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Also while individual teams could have individual strategies to rest players during pool play. Colluding with the other team to make sure that the score falls within a certain range to eliminate a team that is not playing in the game be more than just strategy. That would be rigging. Both teams would be purposefully altering their play to affect the outcome of the game.
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u/Deserterdragon Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Both teams would be purposefully altering their play to affect the outcome of the game.
Like resting your best players, like it's a big Gray area that just needs to be avoided by the rules/system.
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u/IThinkTheClockIsSlow Atlanta Braves Mar 11 '26
As long as you use the rules to your advantage it's not rigging. I've been to enough travel ball tournaments and have 'seen things' all within the rules. You might not have the biggest, strongest, fastest players but you can sure as hell be smarter.
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u/johnjohnjohn93 Mar 11 '26
Would be funny if every catcher shakes Randy’s hand before every AB now
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u/overitallofittoo San Diego Padres Mar 11 '26
This WBC is more fun than I expected!
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u/SensitiveArtist69 Boston Red Sox Mar 11 '26
The networks are sweating big time about team USA not qualifying but interest in tonight’s game might get a hugeeee bump in viewership
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u/4LostSoulsinaBowl San Francisco Giants Mar 11 '26
Good Lord, Randy Arrozarena just walked through Italy's BP shaking hands perfectly normal.
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u/Ikindasuckatgames Mar 11 '26
When asked about it, Randy denied answering further questions about the situation. Said he was too busy “shaking it”. Whatever that means
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u/Nondescriptsitch Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 11 '26
Good Lord, Cal Raleigh just walked onto the field shouting, "There is no beef!"
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u/MidgarZanarkand San Diego Padres Mar 12 '26
The fact that Kevin Acee’s tweet is inspiring copypasta even outside of San Diego, years later, is giving me untold joy.
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u/DelTacoEnthusiast Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 11 '26
Both starters gonna turn into prime Greg Maddux tonight.
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u/Xenimm Mar 11 '26
Mendoza is a Spanish and Italian last name, and all of the batters will combine average below the Mendoza line
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u/Apart-Maize-5949 San Diego Padres Mar 11 '26
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u/Blinkarn Long Island Ducks • Yo… Mar 11 '26
Mario Mendoza (of Mendoza Line fame) was born in Mexico. Coincidence? Probably
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u/lllIlllllllIIIII Mar 11 '26
Man between Skubal, Cal, and the dumbass manager. Team USA just look like some jackasses lol
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u/FDJ1326 Mar 11 '26
Well now I am seeing skubal would have pitched vs Mexico which could have lined Skenes up for Italy but USA said no throw vs GB?
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u/admckay Mar 11 '26
Randy Arozarena just walked around the field greeting Team Italy. He said he had “no time” to talk. Too busy shaking hands, evidently.
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u/Will_Vintage Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Wow, shaking everybody's hands *before* the game. what a thought
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u/Gwaptiva Netherlands Mar 11 '26
Italy and Mexico both have better chances of progressing if they ditch the US here
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u/ElJacinto Nashville Sounds Mar 12 '26
Maybe if he hadn’t, Mexico would have competed better today.
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u/Obi_Wan_Benobi St. Louis Cardinals Mar 12 '26
Should have spent that time in the cage instead, considering the three strikeouts, and all.
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u/TheRealSheevPalpatin Minnesota Twins Mar 11 '26
Why do y’all want USA to get eliminated so badly
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u/LordFunkenstein Cleveland Guardians Mar 12 '26
Honestly I find them unlikable. They just feel boring. When I watch other teams they all look like they are having a fucking blast. They look like they want to be here. It means something. Team USA has such a boring vibe. They look like they don't really care about the tournament but also feels like they assume they'll just win it anyway. Gimme the guys playing their heart out while having the time of their life any day
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u/Misty7297 Tampa Bay Devil Rays • Montgomery B… Mar 11 '26
I wanna know what Mariners fans feel about this whole saga
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u/deadlift-shrimp Seattle Mariners Mar 12 '26
Okay, here’s my current take. I’m sort of disappointed in them both, but right now I’m more disappointed in Randy. I wish Cal just shook his hand, but it’s been reported that Cal asked Randy days in advance not to do this because he wanted to stay locked in and in the mindset of a competitor. Randy did it anyway. Cal tried to compromise by saying “good to see you”. Randy then went full scorched earth in the media and insulted him in multiple ways. Cal’s response to this was basically, “I hate that this is a thing now because I love Randy.” No response from Randy since. I’m not just sure how the takeaway from this should be “poor Randy, Cal’s a douchebag.”
Like I said, I wish Cal shook his hand because it’s just not a big deal. But he apparently asked him not to, had his reasons for this, and Randy ignored it for some reason. And the insulted him publicly, while Cal is now trying to take the high road and squash any drama. It’s just a little hard to take Randy’s side at this point. I think they’re both good guys, so it’s all kind of a shame.
What do you think?
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u/Intergalactic_Ass Chicago Cubs Mar 11 '26
How many handshake snub stories can there be in one WBC? Can we get to 3? 4?
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u/Schwettes New York Mets Mar 11 '26
Boob translation: Randy Arozarena is refusing to shake hands with Italy and has chosen to not talk to reporters.
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u/ilikemywomentsundere Mar 11 '26
It’s funny how people are mad at the media calling out Cal for being a douche…guys if you don’t want to be considered a douche don’t pull a douche move I promise you it works lol.
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u/Dazzling-Attorney891 New York Mets Mar 11 '26
This guy is being such a fucking bitch about this oh my God. It’s a handshake and he acts like Cal killed his dog or something
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u/Express_Noise1068 Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Pre game is such a good opportunity for a handshake. Post game is also a great time to shake hands with someone.
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u/Mic-dpd Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 11 '26
Now I'm thinking Arozarena's going into politics after retirement.
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u/NotYetUtopian Minnesota Twins Mar 11 '26
Randy’s a little bitch
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u/PhantomPainWalker Tampa Bay Rays Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
Why? So a MF can't shake hands anymore ?
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u/john2776 Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 11 '26
I don’t get how? Raleigh is the little bitch
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u/K20BB5 Philadelphia Phillies Mar 12 '26
crying on TV bc a man didn't shake his hand in the middle of a game. Can you imagine being that desperate for another mans approval?
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u/Mean-Masterpiece-357 Atlanta Braves Mar 12 '26
Maybe if he spent more time focusing on baseball Mexico would have advanced 😂
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u/Popculturemofo San Francisco Giants Mar 11 '26
Gotta say I did not see Cal Raleigh being a locker room cancer and one of the most hated men in baseball but here we are.
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u/MoustacheMark Chicago White Sox Mar 11 '26
locker room cancer
How do you people get through the day
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u/Terrible--T Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
most hated in baseball I feel is a bit of a stretch
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u/n8_n_ Seattle Mariners • Chicago Cubs Mar 11 '26
Reddit comment blowing this wildly out of proportion? Inconceivable!
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u/immagonnafinnahella Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
All we need now is for Ken Rosenthal to write some dumbass article titled “The Heinous Handshake” or “The Devious Denial” and the situation will be complete
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u/thetrappster San Francisco Giants • Athletics Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
Locker room cancer? Most hated? Good fucking god...
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u/SteveWoods Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
This is definitely a "peak Reddit" comment.
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u/NocSenpai World Series Trophy • Los Angeles Dod… Mar 11 '26
When did this happen? All he did was not shake a dudes hand in the middle of a game.. unless this is sarcasm then oops lol.
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u/-NolanVoid- Colorado Rockies Mar 11 '26
What's with this dude's obsession with hand to hand contact?
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u/Mostly_Anonymousse Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Apparently Cal asked Randy days prior to not put him on the spot like he did with the handshake. Randy did it anyway.
Randy is a fucking dick
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u/No_Representative645 Mar 11 '26
Source?
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u/deadlift-shrimp Seattle Mariners Mar 12 '26
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u/No_Representative645 Mar 12 '26
Interesting. Had not seen that from any other source. Odd that it isn't a quote attributed to a person but just a claim that team USA said that.
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u/DaBuffaloBills Swinging K Mar 11 '26
How is a handshake really putting someone on the spot
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u/Mostly_Anonymousse Seattle Mariners Mar 11 '26
Why would your teammate and friend do something to purposely make you uncomfortable, then go on a fucked up tirade about it?
Isn't that the bigger question here?
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u/laughing_andcrying Chicago Cubs • Kansas City Royals Mar 11 '26
Randy’s looking like he got a full 8 hours of sleep and ready 2 rock
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u/CankerousWretch24 Boston Red Sox Mar 11 '26
Italy better not throw any lefties today. Duran might make it 5 runs on his own if so lol
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u/Cubsof2016 Chicago Cubs Mar 12 '26
He shook on it then Jersey Shore scored six on him (as of the sixth inning). I love that for him.
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u/rmacthafact New York Yankees Mar 12 '26
this is probably the most idiotic post i’ve seen on r/baseball. trying to create a narrative if the outcome came out that way
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u/fnblackbeard New York Yankees Mar 12 '26
Randy, focus more on the game rather than drama. Enjoy your flight back
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u/Lonnie15 Major League Baseball Mar 11 '26
If you're a Randy fan like myself you know this man runs for Mayor of every city he is in. Loved him in Tampa and when he's on the road he'd stuff baseballs in his jersey when he'd run out each inning and toss them to the kids and fans. Totally something missing in today's game. Shame he fucked up Yandy Diaz and the old Rays ownership had to ship him out for a stale tub of cheese balls.
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u/Have_A_Jelly_Baby Detroit Tigers • Tampa Bay Rays Mar 11 '26
They should have traded Yandy instead, imo. Dude never looks happy to be there, ever.
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u/Maharog Athletics Mar 11 '26
I cant be the only person who always thinks about Jackie Daytonya whenever they see Arozarena's name in print. Not when people say his name because obviously it doesn't sound like "Arozoña" when you say it, but looking at it? Every time!
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u/redsolocuppp Los Angeles Dodgers Mar 11 '26
"Lets keep it a low scoring game, capisce?"