Randy Arozarena continues to be the spark for Mexico’s dramatic team in the World Baseball Classic, as he homered in the middle of Monday night’s semifinal game against Team Japan.
Even better than the play that drew attention to the fans lining the fence behind him.
Japan’s Kazuma Okamoto hit a deep pitch to Patrick Sandoval’s left field and headed toward the fence, where Arozera was waiting to see if he could connect. On his way down, Aroza’s jump was perfectly timed and he caught the ball with his glove over the fence to give the home side the lead.
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Team Mexico’s Randy Aroza #56 hits the wall for the final out of the bottom of the fifth inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game between Team Mexico and Team Japan at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023, at loanDepot Park. in Miami, Florida. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The steal was met with immediate roars from fans at Miami’s loanDepot Park, who had Aroza, who starred for MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, in his face after the play. He finally smiled as he threw the ball back.
But as the next batter was coming to the plate and the crowd texted and tweeted the viral moment on their phones, Aroza was seen signing baseballs and flags for Team Mexico, the team that plays for Cuba, while the game was still in progress. good
Arozera interacted with fans before putting his glove back on and pitching to the next batter.
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This World Baseball Classic has brought a different energy to the ballpark than ever before, with some saying it’s a better atmosphere than MLB’s World Series. Mexico and Japan have had rabid fans for every strike, let alone a home run…or steal in Aroz’s case.
Randy Aroza of Team Mexico #56 reacts by stealing a solo home run off Kazuma Okamoto of Team Japan #25 during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game Monday, March 20, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Arozara has also been quite a player in a Mexican team that he had to beg to be a part of. He is from Cuba, but after leaving for Mexico before joining the MLB, Arozarena’s relationship with his country is torn.
For many years, the relationship between the USA and Cuba has been strained due to the latter’s communist regime, after Fidel Castro came to power. This affected many things including sports, where Cuba banned professional baseball from the country, causing many refugees to go to the US.
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Today, players like Arozarena are stars in the league, but in front of their country, they appear disloyal to leave. The Cuban Baseball Federation allowed suspended players to return to play with their national team in the WBC if they wished, but Aroz’s was not one of them.
Instead, he asked Mexico to grant him citizenship so he could play, and that’s exactly what they did. He has also paid for them.
Arozera has been phenomenal for the team, slashing .421/.593/.842 with one home run, five doubles and nine RBIs in six games entering Monday’s semifinal.
Mexico’s 56’s Randy Aroza returns in the sixth inning against Japan in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Aroza’s success on the field has led to a trip to the Mexican tournament, and he’s been having fun with it ever since he donned the “El Tri” jersey. The fans of the Mexico team have also welcomed him with open arms.
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And a perfect example of what rose to fame among them was on display in the middle of a game in left field – a move unheard of in MLB.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.