Mar. 30, 2024 21:15 PM EST

Rays' Arozarena Celebrates Home Run, Signs Autographs For Fans In Dugout

By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena kisses his bat after hitting a solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius) Steve Nesius, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena kisses his bat after hitting a solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena celebrates his solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
Tampa Bay Rays' Isaac Paredes (17) and Randy Arozarena celebrate Arozarena's solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena reacts after his RBI single off Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt scored Yandy Diaz during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randy Arozarena's entertaining celebration of his first home run of the season didn't end with his signature crossed-arms pose.

The All-Star outfielder and fan favorite returned to the dugout and obliged a couple of fans by signing autographs after they managed to slip a ball and cap to him after his solo shot gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-0 lead over Toronto in the fifth inning Saturday.

The Rays went on to win 5-1, with Arozarena scoring three runs and finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases.

“It makes me happy to be able to sign autographs for the kids because you never know, it could be their dream and they can identify with me there,” the Rays star said through a translator. “Hopefully one day they can make it to the major leagues as well and do the same.”

Arozarena carried his bat nearly halfway up the first base line before breaking into a sprint. He spiced up the trip, hopping on third base and pausing to strike a crossed-arms pose before heading home. He was congratulated by teammate Isaac Paredes after crossing the plate, then struck the pose again for the cheering crowd of 18,905.

Arozarena was a first-time All-Star last season, helping the Rays reached the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

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