Cal Raleigh's Fist Bump Snub With Teammate Naylor Explained

Mariners catcher's viral handshake refusal during WBC quarterfinal was just a friendly joke between teammates.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:04pm

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Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners catcher playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, has been making headlines for refusing to fraternize with opponents during the tournament. In the quarterfinal game against Canada, Raleigh appeared to snub a fist bump from his Mariners teammate Josh Naylor, who was captaining the Canadian team. However, Naylor later explained that the two were just joking around, and that Raleigh had actually asked him not to attempt the fist bump beforehand.

Why it matters

Raleigh's viral handshake and fist bump refusals during the WBC have drawn criticism from some fans, but this latest incident shows there was no bad blood between the two teammates. It highlights how on-field actions can be misinterpreted without proper context, and how teammates can maintain friendly rivalries even when representing opposing countries.

The details

Hours before the quarterfinal game, Naylor said he had texted Raleigh that he was going to try to fist bump him at the plate. Raleigh replied and asked Naylor not to do it. When Naylor attempted the fist bump anyway, Raleigh declined, leading to the viral moment. However, Naylor later explained that the two were just joking around, and that Raleigh is one of Naylor's favorite teammates.

  • The incident occurred during the quarterfinal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 14, 2026.

The players

Cal Raleigh

The Seattle Mariners catcher playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Josh Naylor

The captain of the Canadian national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and a teammate of Raleigh's on the Seattle Mariners.

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What they’re saying

“We were all just joking. Trying to really make light of the situation. I texted him before that I was going to do it. He said, 'Please don't.'”

— Josh Naylor, Canada national team captain

“Me and Cal are really good friends. He's an awesome teammate, honestly, one of my favorite teammates I think I've ever had in my career.”

— Josh Naylor, Canada national team captain

What’s next

The United States will face the Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Sunday, March 17.

The takeaway

This incident shows how on-field actions can be misinterpreted without proper context, and how teammates can maintain friendly rivalries even when representing opposing countries in international competition.