Cal Raleigh’s Home Run Derby Triumph
Atlanta – In an exciting season, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has hit 38 home runs so far, leading all catchers before the All-Star break. This impressive feat has drawn comparisons to Aaron Judge’s remarkable 62-homer season.
Raleigh’s breakout year in 2025 led to his first All-Star selection. On Monday, he made history by becoming the first catcher ever to win the Home Run Derby Trophy, also being the first switch hitter to claim this title.
In the final round, Raleigh hit 18 homers, outdoing Tampa Bay Rays’ infielder Junior Caminero’s 15 home runs.
Raleigh’s memorable moment during the derby was made even more special by the presence of his family. His younger brother, Todd Lowry Jr., was there, and he even pitched to Raleigh during the event.
“I remember when he used to pitch to me in the backyard,” Raleigh reminisced. “We would just have fun hitting balls back and forth.” It’s striking how these childhood moments can come full circle in such significant ways.
Later, Raleigh mentioned during an interview that his brother was, well, living his best life: “He’s like a typical teenager… kind of sarcastic, you know? I didn’t expect him to cheer me on, but he really surprised me.”
Reflecting on his experiences before the All-Star Game, Raleigh shared with Fox News that the Derby stands out as the highlight of his journey so far. “It was a blast being able to do it with my family around,” he said, clearly excited.
Looking ahead, Raleigh is open to returning to defend his title in the 2026 Home Run Derby, though he knows it’s still too early to say for sure. “If they invite me, I’d love to go back,” he remarked.
This season has seen Raleigh overshadowing Aaron Judge, who has only tallied three home runs so far this year. Some fans even draw parallels to the legendary home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998. Raleigh, however, is not yet old enough to have vivid memories of that season but acknowledges its significance to baseball history.
He mentioned watching the ’30 for 30′ documentary: “I know what that season meant for baseball. It’s great to keep that conversation alive.” While he appreciates Judge’s skills, Raleigh emphasized the need to stay focused on his game.
With a standout performance in the All-Star Game, Raleigh went 2-for-2 in his debut, contributing to a thrilling match where the National League edged out the American League in an unprecedented swing-off tiebreaker.
Despite the accolades coming his way, Raleigh is determined to prioritize teamwork above all. “I mean, it’s nice to have recognition, but I’m all about the team,” he said. “Focusing on that is what matters most.” This humble attitude surely resonates with fans and teammates alike.
