Latest news with #ToddRaleigh
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cal Raleigh grateful for All-Star experience, eager for Mariners to finish 2nd half strong
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh quipped that he was ready for things to go back to normal, while speaking with reporters for the first time since the All-Star break. But, what exactly, has Raleigh's 'normal' been in 2025? Prior to becoming the first catcher and switch hitter to win the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night, Raleigh broke the American League record for home runs before the All-Star break with 38. He's already set a career high for home runs in a season, and only needs to drive in 19 more runs over the Mariners' final 68 games to set a watermark in that category as well. Raleigh said the 2025 campaign has been normal in some ways, and in others, not so much. 'I feel like the last month has been obviously a little more,' Raleigh said. 'But, it's a good thing, not a bad thing. I don't want to make it seem like it's a burden or it's anything like that 'cause it's not. It's a great position to be in.' Raleigh's first half allowed him to create an abundance of memories over his three days in Atlanta. His father, Todd, a former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina, threw the pitches during the Home Run Derby. Cal's 15-year-old brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., did the catching. 'It was an unforgettable night,' Raleigh said. 'Obviously, I (got) to have my family involved and to win the whole thing was something I didn't think I was going to do. So, all around, great night. Definitely one that I'll remember for a while.' For all the memorable moments, though, Raleigh did a whole bunch of hustling and bustling. Raleigh, who has caught the third-most innings in the majors so far this season, found himself busy with media obligations, signing events and catching up with others in the baseball world. There wasn't much downtime, but he did briefly sneak home Wednesday to Cullowhee, North Carolina to hang out with his family. He even got to watch his brother play in a travel ball tournament in East Cobb, Georgia, located just 15 minutes north of Truist Park, home of the 2025 All-Star Game. 'I don't get to see him,' Raleigh said, 'so it was a good all-around week.' But now, his focus has turned to propelling the Mariners into the postseason for the second time since making his major league debut in 2021. Entering Friday night's contest against the AL West-leading Houston Astros, the Mariners held a 1 1/2 game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wild-card spot. Seattle finished the first half by winning six of its final nine games, and as a team hit better than expected while coming up a bit short on the pitching side. From Raleigh's perspective, the Mariners have sufficient talent, but just need to be more consistent. 'We need each guy to carry their own weight, carry their end of the bargain, I guess, for the team,' Raleigh said. 'And each night, like I said, being prepared and I think if each guy's doing that, I think we're going to like where we're at at the end of the year.' It would only help the Mariners' cause, though, if Raleigh could replicate, or at least come close to repeating what he accomplished during Seattle's first 96 games. Should Raleigh continue with his offensive excellence, he could find himself adding more hardware to what he accumulated at the All-Star festivities. Which, of course, wouldn't be all that normal for as even-keeled a backstop as there is in the majors — one who preaches that his routines are what have kept him grounded amid his ascent. 'When you get to the field, it's still the same process that you've been going through,' Raleigh said. 'It's that slow, kind of process, that slow burn up to the game and making sure that you're prepared, ready to go and doing the things that you need to do and making sure that you're not letting things creep in that are not as important.' ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Cal Raleigh grateful for All-Star experience, eager for Mariners to finish 2nd half strong
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh quipped that he was ready for things to go back to normal, while speaking with reporters for the first time since the All-Star break. But, what exactly, has Raleigh's 'normal' been in 2025? Prior to becoming the first catcher and switch hitter to win the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night, Raleigh broke the American League record for home runs before the All-Star break with 38. He's already set a career high for home runs in a season, and only needs to drive in 19 more runs over the Mariners' final 68 games to set a watermark in that category as well. Raleigh said the 2025 campaign has been normal in some ways, and in others, not so much. 'I feel like the last month has been obviously a little more,' Raleigh said. 'But, it's a good thing, not a bad thing. I don't want to make it seem like it's a burden or it's anything like that 'cause it's not. It's a great position to be in.' Raleigh's first half allowed him to create an abundance of memories over his three days in Atlanta. His father, Todd, a former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina, threw the pitches during the Home Run Derby. Cal's 15-year-old brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., did the catching. 'It was an unforgettable night,' Raleigh said. 'Obviously, I (got) to have my family involved and to win the whole thing was something I didn't think I was going to do. So, all around, great night. Definitely one that I'll remember for a while.' For all the memorable moments, though, Raleigh did a whole bunch of hustling and bustling. Raleigh, who has caught the third-most innings in the majors so far this season, found himself busy with media obligations, signing events and catching up with others in the baseball world. There wasn't much downtime, but he did briefly sneak home Wednesday to Cullowhee, North Carolina to hang out with his family. He even got to watch his brother play in a travel ball tournament in East Cobb, Georgia, located just 15 minutes north of Truist Park, home of the 2025 All-Star Game. 'I don't get to see him,' Raleigh said, 'so it was a good all-around week.' But now, his focus has turned to propelling the Mariners into the postseason for the second time since making his major league debut in 2021. Entering Friday night's contest against the AL West-leading Houston Astros, the Mariners held a 1 1/2 game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wild-card spot. Seattle finished the first half by winning six of its final nine games, and as a team hit better than expected while coming up a bit short on the pitching side. From Raleigh's perspective, the Mariners have sufficient talent, but just need to be more consistent. 'We need each guy to carry their own weight, carry their end of the bargain, I guess, for the team,' Raleigh said. 'And each night, like I said, being prepared and I think if each guy's doing that, I think we're going to like where we're at at the end of the year.' It would only help the Mariners' cause, though, if Raleigh could replicate, or at least come close to repeating what he accomplished during Seattle's first 96 games. Should Raleigh continue with his offensive excellence, he could find himself adding more hardware to what he accumulated at the All-Star festivities. Which, of course, wouldn't be all that normal for as even-keeled a backstop as there is in the majors — one who preaches that his routines are what have kept him grounded amid his ascent. 'When you get to the field, it's still the same process that you've been going through,' Raleigh said. 'It's that slow, kind of process, that slow burn up to the game and making sure that you're prepared, ready to go and doing the things that you need to do and making sure that you're not letting things creep in that are not as important.' ___ AP MLB:
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How former Vols fared in 2025 MLB All-Star Game
The National League defeated the American League, 7-6, in the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The contest was tied, 6-6, after nine innings before being decided by a swing-off. Former Vol Garrett Crochet was selected to the game by American League manager Aaron Boone. The Boston left-handed pitcher did not appear in the contest. Crochet is in his first season with the Red Sox. He was traded from the White Sox to Boston during the offseason. He was selected by Chicago No. 11 overall in the 2020 MLB draft. Crochet played for Tennessee from 2018-20. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh was the starting catcher for the American League. He went 1-for-2 in the game. Raleigh, the son of former Tennessee head coach Todd Raleigh, is leading Major League Baseball with 38 home runs. He also won the Home Run Derby on Monday, becoming the first catcher to win the event. Todd Raleigh, who coached the Vols from 2008-11, pitched to his son in the Home Run Derby.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby win boosts ESPN ratings by 5%
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, watches with his dad Todd who pitched and brother Todd Jr. catcher during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, watches with his dad Todd who pitched and brother Todd Jr. catcher during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ATLANTA (AP) — Big Dumper helped drive a big boost to ratings for Monday night's Home Run Derby. ESPN said Tuesday that viewership for Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby victory was up 5% from 2024, according to Nielsen ratings. Raleigh's win over fellow finalist Junior Caminero of Tampa Bay drew an average audience of 5,729,000 viewers, up from 5,451,000 viewers in 2024 when Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernández topped Bobby Witt Jr. in the finals. Advertisement ESPN says the combined audience on ESPN and ESPN2 peaked with 6,307,000 viewers at 9:30 p.m. ET. That made the Home Run Derby one of the most-watched programs of the day, including all broadcast and cable choices. Raleigh's father, Todd was his personal pitcher for the event. The Seattle catcher's 15-year-old brother, Todd Jr., was his catcher. The elder Raleigh is a former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina. Raleigh, 28, leads the majors with 38 homers and 82 RBIs and is the American League's starting catcher in Tuesday night's All-Star Game. Raleigh became the second Mariners player to take the title, following three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr., who was on the field, snapping photos. ___ AP MLB:
CNN
15-07-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Cal Raleigh wins the Home Run Derby with his dad and brother playing key supporting roles
It's the year of The Big Dumper. With a hot and humid night making perfect conditions for the long ball, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh won the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, defeating Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero in the finals. His prize? In addition to the classic trophy featuring two criss-crossed silver baseball bats, Raleigh received a gaudy bejeweled championship chain emblazoned with the words 'Derby Champ.' Affectionately nicknamed for his prodigious posterior, Raleigh is living the dream. He is already close to record pace for home runs in a season, had his father on the mound as his pitcher for the derby and his 15-year-old brother was behind him as one of the event's catchers. Much as he has looked all year, Raleigh just seemed absolutely unstoppable. 'It just means the world,' Raleigh said after the game. '… I just can't believe I won.' 'It's just a great accomplishment, I think that everybody, every dad who has a kid, this is what they dream about,' Todd Raleigh said about his son's victory after the event. Raleigh went up first in the final, starting from the left side of the plate and quickly getting into a rhythm as ball after ball went soaring through the sky. The league leader in home runs – he has 38 at the All-Star break – jacked seven before taking a timeout halfway through his final round. He hit eight more in the final minute, including one that snuck over the fence as the buzzer sounded. In the bonus round that followed, he hit three more and Caminero needed 19 home runs in the final round in order to win the contest. Caminero started off sending balls into the left field grandstands, peppering the crowd with laser home runs. He even got robbed of one by one of the children on the field who shag the balls that don't leave the yard – the kid jumped and grabbed the ball just before it cleared the fence. Caminero was still awarded the homer, and he ended the timed portion of the round with 14 home runs and needing five to win in the bonus round. He wasn't able to do it, falling short and finishing with 15 home runs in the final. It was a perfect night for baseball's premier display of power when some of the game's biggest stars took their shots at putting dents in Truist Park's outfield grandstands. Easily the crowd's favorite moment of schadenfreude was Jazz Chisholm Jr's disappointing first round. A former division rival when he played with the Miami Marlins, Chisholm only hit three home runs in the opening round – easily the lowest total of the first round. The current Yankee was booed during introductions and again when he finished his round. The loudest the crowd got in the opening stages was for hometown hero Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, who finally got hot late in the first round to bring the faithful to their feet. But his 15 home runs weren't enough to see him through to the semifinal round. James Wood, the young Washington Nationals star, went first and was eliminated from the semifinals as well after hitting 16 homers in his round. Wood's 486-foot shot in the opening round was the first of many balls to leave Truist Park over the right field wall, flying above the Chop House restaurant that looms hundreds of feet from home plate. The biggest drama in the opening round came when Raleigh and Athletics' star Brent Rooker had to go to a tiebreaker to determine who would move onto the next round. Raleigh got the nod by less than an inch on his longest homer, as measured by Statcast. They had both finished tied with 17 home runs in the opening round. As the semifinals got going, Byron Buxton couldn't recreate the magic he found in the second half of the opening round, only hitting seven home runs in the semifinals. The Minnesota Twins outfielder had started slow but ended up slugging 20 homers in the first round. Caminero advanced to the finals after his eighth home run as his sweet, easy swing sent balls deep into the steamy Georgia night. He hit 21 homers in the first round. Raleigh put on a show in the next semifinal, simply mashing balls into – and over – the right field grandstand. He ended up with 19 homers, setting the bar extraordinarily high for O'Neil Cruz. The Pittsburgh Pirates standout put a baseball into orbit in the opening round, hitting the day's longest shot at 513 feet. Cruz once again dialed up the power, hitting multiple balls over 495 feet as he tried to chase down Raleigh's total. Unfortunately for him, the bar had been set just a bit too high by baseball's home run leader who is on a torrid pace in his breakout season. Cruz ended up with 13 long balls, setting up a final between Caminero and Raleigh. Raleigh will take the $1 million dollar winner's purse and bragging rights into Tuesday's All-Star Game, where he will bat fourth for the American League squad.
