Randy Arozarena: who is the new star of the National Team?

There’s no more. The man of the moment is called Randy Arozarena.

It is not for less, the player Cuban naturalized mexican has become the linchpin of the Mexican National Team in the 2023 World Baseball Classicthanks to great performances in the commitments that the ninth Aztec has starred in the prestigious tournament.

Randy was chosen as the team’s leadoff hitter and has more than responded to the request, hitting two hits at key moments and being a true left field guard.

But who exactly is he and what led him to defend the colors of Mexico?

Who is Randy Arozarena and what are his records?

Randy Arozarena González born in streams of mantua, Pinewood of the river, Cubaon February 28, 1995, and from a young age he felt a deep devotion to the baseball. That led him to play first for the Vegueros of Pinar del Rio in 2013.

However, Randy longed to improve himself, so in 2016 he ventured on a boat to the sea to reach Mexico and have brief periods in the Merida Winter Leaguethe Northern League of Mexico and with the Bulls of Tijuana of the Mexican Leaguebefore playing for the Mayos de Navojoa of the Mexican Pacific League in the winter.

Those brief, but outstanding performances led him to enlist with the St.Louis Cardinalsof the Major League Baseball who sent him to minor leagues to fire it.

The still Cuban immediately stood out thanks to his power with the bat and in 2019 he was promoted to the Big leagues to debut the August 14 in front of the Kansas City Royals.​ In 19 games with the Cardinals, Arozarena hit .300 with one home run, two RBIs and two stolen bases..

In January 2020, Arozarena was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming a key player. In it game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, Randy Arozarena he hit a two-run home run, passing Evan Longoria for most home runs by a rookie in the postseason. Arozarena was named ALCS MVP, becoming the first rookie position player to win the award. Despite Arozarena’s record-breaking performance, the Rays lost the World Series in view of los angeles dodgers in six games.

Why did Randy Arozarena become a Mexican citizen?

Although he was born in Cuba, Randy Arozarena He always expressed his intention to represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classicso much so, that years ago he asked his followers for help so that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expedite the procedures.

“I only ask a favor my people, send a message to the president to give me nationality and do me that favor to represent Mexico in the World Classic, it’s all I want,” he mentioned in a live broadcast on his instagram in 2021.

The Mexican president, a faithful fan of baseball, urged the Migration’s national institute to manage naturalization.

“He is a prominent baseball player of Cuban origin who was in Mexico and then went to USA to Big leagues and participated in the World Series”, he recalled at a press conference.

On April 21, 2022, the “Cowboy” fulfilled his dream thanks to the fact that he is married to a Mexican woman and has a daughter of that nationality; what favored him to receive the letter from the hands of Juan Sabines Guerrero, Consul of Mexico in Orlando, Florida.

As a thank you, the player from Tampa Bay Rays gave him a jersey with which he played the 2020 World Series to AMLO.

“I became a Mexican citizen, I am already one of them. I thank Mexico for receiving me and representing them, ”she said at the time.

Randy Arozarena, the most valuable Mexican player of the World Baseball Classic

The Aztec Ninth keep making history World Baseball Classic 2023 after defeating in an electrifying duel to Puerto Ricoone of the favorite teams to keep the long-awaited title, and yes, arozarena once again was a factor.

Just as it happened in the group stage, the star player of the Tampa Bay Rays It was essential to get Mexico to the Semifinals of the tournament for the first time in its history. And it is that of all the great moments of the game, Randy Arozarena one of the most spectacular was scored.

Mexico rowed against the current and reversed a 4-run deficit, turning the score around to put the cards 5-4 in their favor. But the alarms went off when in the eighth inning Puerto Rico hit a dangerous drive to left field. Arozarena, guardian of the area, cooled the actions with a stretch that prevented the Puerto Ricans from taking the first and second baseand hanging a out vital to the Mexican cause.

“Now I’m playing the World Classic, which is an incredible event, so that play could help keep the game 5-4 in our favor and it was a great catch,” he confessed. Randy Arozarena in an interview after the meeting.

Now, Randy and Mexico will face Japan in the Semifinal of the World Baseball Classic 2023.