ST. PETERSBURG -- About 15 minutes before first pitch Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, Randy Arozarena stood in front of the Rays¡¯ dugout alongside teammate Manuel Margot and Mexican secretary of foreign affairs Marcelo Ebrard.?

They watched a video of Arozarena¡¯s many highlight-reel moments for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic on the right-field scoreboard, then Arozarena received his WBC All-Tournament Team award. After holding up his trophy for the cheering crowd, Arozarena stood side by side with Ebrard to sing the Mexican national anthem, then made his way behind home plate, crouching to catch Ebrard¡¯s first pitch.

It was a moment years in the making. After all, it was Ebrard who helped Arozarena, who defected from Cuba to Mexico in late 2015, become a Mexican citizen in April ¡®22.

¡°I'm very grateful. I'm very honored,¡± Arozarena said through interpreter Manny Navarro. ¡°And I'd like to reciprocate the feeling of him coming here and me going back and hopefully doing something for the country.¡±

Arozarena¡¯s relationship with Ebrard -- a politician with over 40 years of public service in Mexico, including six years as mayor of Mexico City from 2006-12 -- dates back two years. In 2021, Arozarena expressed his desire via Instagram to Mexican president Andr¨¦s Manuel L¨®pez Obrador to become a Mexican citizen so that he could represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Ebrard handled the naturalization personally at the president¡¯s request, and the two connected on a video call to get the process started. As often as they¡¯ve been in contact since then, Sunday was the first time they actually met.

¡°We write each other. We text each other. Obviously, I sent him the invitation to be here, and it makes me very happy that he decided to be here,¡± Arozarena said through Navarro. ¡°He's seen me play on TV, so I'd really like him to see me in person. So this is ¡­ very special.¡±

Arozarena, who lives in the Tampa Bay area in the offseason, hasn¡¯t been back to Mexico since late 2020. He said he plans to change that by returning after this season ends, and he is excited to see the reception he receives.

¡°I think it'll be something that'll be very cool when I go back,¡± Arozarena said through Navarro. ¡°I think the fans will show me a lot of love and respect, especially after what we did and after what we were able to do with Team Mexico.¡±

¡°He is very, very, very happy. The Mexican naturalization opened for him a lot of possibilities,¡± added Ebrard, wearing a custom Rays jersey with his first name and the No. 24 on the back. ¡°He's very proud to be part of the Mexican team right now, and now, he has thousands in Mexico and maybe in Cuba following his career. Incredible. So we are very happy to be here.¡±

Arozarena extended the invitation himself and requested that Ebrard throw out the ceremonial first pitch, as long as he got to catch it. Ebrard¡¯s traveling party purchased 100 tickets in Section 124 to the Rays¡¯ series finale against the Brewers, and distributed them to Mexicans who live in the Tampa Bay area.

Additionally, Arozarena presented Ebrard with a signed No. 56 jersey that also included thank-you messages written by Arozarena. The two played catch and posed for photos in front of Tampa Bay¡¯s dugout before the game, and Ebrard was also introduced to Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld, manager Kevin Cash, infielder Isaac Paredes (who also represented Mexico in the WBC), U.S. Rep Kathy Castor and St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch, among others.

Ebrard said Team Mexico¡¯s stunning run to the WBC semifinals, highlighted in part by the performance of Arozarena and fellow Paredes, ¡°reignited¡± the country¡¯s interest in baseball. As he leaned on the home dugout railing, Ebrard smiled and said, ¡°Everybody¡¯s doing this,¡± then crossed his arms to mimic Arozarena¡¯s now-signature celebratory pose.

¡°I can say that baseball's importance in Mexico is growing fast,¡± Ebrard said. ¡°Randy and Isaac are the symbols. So you have more and more people in Mexico following this [Rays] team. That's why I am here today. The people say, 'Well, this team, I really like it.'¡±