Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh made headlines on Monday night by winning his first All-Star Home Run Derby. The victory came after Raleigh led the major leagues in home runs going into the All-Star break, finishing the final round with an impressive score of 18 home runs, defeating Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero, who hit 15 homers. This remarkable achievement not only showcased Raleigh's power-hitting skills but also marked a significant milestone in his career.
In the opening round, Raleigh advanced through a tiebreaker, edging out the Athletics' Brent Rooker by a mere inch. Rooker's longest homer measured 470.53 feet, while Raleigh's longest drive reached 470.61 feet. This clutch performance set the tone for Raleigh's successful night. He then moved on to the semi-finals, where he faced Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz. Raleigh triumphed with a score of 19-13, with Cruz impressively launching the longest homer of the night at 513 feet over the right-center field seats of Truist Park.
At just 22 years old, Raleigh made history as the first switch-hitter and catcher to win the Home Run Derby title. He entered the All-Star break with a spectacular total of 38 home runs, further establishing his reputation as one of the league's premier power hitters. Raleigh's victory also made him the second player from the Mariners, after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr., to claim the title.
Raleigh's journey was made even more special by the presence of his family. His father, Todd Raleigh, a former coach at Tennessee and Western Carolina, pitched for him during the competition. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., took on the role of catcher, creating a memorable family moment in the spotlight.
In the final round against Caminero, Raleigh hit his first eight homers left-handed before taking a timeout. He then switched to hitting right-handed and added seven more to his tally. After another brief timeout, Raleigh returned to his left-handed swing, hitting two additional homers in the bonus round. This strategic approach helped him secure the win, marking a perfect end to an exhilarating night.
In the other semi-final, Caminero defeated Minnesota's Byron Buxton with a close score of 8-7. The first round saw several notable performances, with Cruz and Caminero both hitting 21 homers and Buxton landing 20. Raleigh and Rooker each managed 17, but Raleigh's tiebreaker win allowed him to advance. Other competitors, including Atlanta's Matt Olson, Washington's James Wood, and the New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr., exited during the first round, with Olson hitting only 15 homers, disappointing his hometown fans.
Along with the coveted title, Raleigh took home a prize of $1 million for his victory. Caminero, as the runner-up, significantly boosted his earnings, nearly doubling his salary of $764,100 by winning $500,000. As both players reflect on their performances, the Home Run Derby has undoubtedly set the stage for exciting futures in their respective careers.
