Randy Arozarena’s Big Game Legacy Grows Despite Mexico’s WBC Removal

news7g03/21/2023

2 3 minutes read

Randy Arozarena's Big Game Legacy Grows Despite Mexico's WBC Removal

MIAMI – If anyone can overcome the energy and atmosphere of World Classic Baseballits Randy Arozarena.

The left-hander, with a home steal, two more timely catches and a brace to score the lead, did his best to help. Mexico against Japan in the semi-finals on Monday. In the end, Mexico failed when Japan gave up in the ninth round and advance to Tuesday’s final with Team USA (7pm Eastern Time, FS1). But Arozarena provided plenty of talent and entertainment before being dropped from the tournament.

“Randy was phenomenal today,” said Mexico coach Benji Gil.

Arozarena, also known as the most confident man on the baseball field after his post-season feats with Rays of Tampa . Bay, was the antithesis of Japan’s momentum in Monday night’s semi-final at loanDepot Park. Arozarena’s performance began in the fifth inning as Mexico led 3-0, he snatched the first player Kazuma Okamoto of a leading home run. Tracking the balloon beyond the warning line and all the way to the left wall, Arozarena jumped up and slipped his glove over the railing, only to let the ball land directly into his glove.

As if catching the ball on momentum wasn’t enough, Arozorena also left the crowd and some players wondering where the ball had gone. With the ball in his gloves and 35,933 insane fans surrounding him, Arozarena crossed his arms and looked straight ahead, with a normal expression on his face. The crowd continued to scream, and Arozarena just blinked. Catches and poses must be seen to be believed.

Moments later, in the process of changing his pitch, Arozarena backed away from the wall and began signing autographs for the overcrowded crowd on the left side of the field. And when he’s not interacting with the crowd, he’s doing more game-changing plays.

Mexico’s Randy Arozarena steals Japan’s home advantage in the fifth half

Japan managed to take a two-goal lead in the fifth half, but only let Arozarena finish off goal with another catch into the left wall. Then again in the sixth inning, Arozarena ended the threat from the Japanese second bases with a catch on the third base. That time, he allowed himself to smile and accept it as he jogged back to the Mexican bunker.

Japan is back in the seventh inning on Masataka YoshidaEnd game run three times home to make it a whole new ball game. But in the top 1/8, Arozarena once again defeated the power of Japan’s attack with a double and a goal. Alex VerdugoA brace put Mexico ahead 4-3.

Randy Arozarena is a WBC player, but his story is even better

In six WBC games, Arozarena produced seven extra base hits, nine RBIs, and a .450/.607/.900 slash. Although his remarkable effort was not rewarded with victory on Monday, it may be only a matter of time before Arozarena’s statue – wearing a wide-brimmed hat and cowboy boots – is erected. up in Mexico.

“He gave us the chance to get back into the game after a home game where many teams go up against this kind of star-studded team, they could have given up,” Gil said of Arozarena. “But, no. He started this protest. We fought. Again, we led. They were warriors, you know?”

Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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