Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh triumphed in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, held on July 8, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. In a thrilling final, he overcame Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays to secure the coveted title. Raleigh, celebrated for his impressive performance this season, received both a trophy featuring criss-crossed silver baseball bats and a striking championship chain inscribed with “Derby Champ.”
The event showcased Raleigh’s potent ability to hit home runs, a skill that has placed him on track for a record-breaking season. His father, Todd Raleigh, pitched for him during the contest, while his 15-year-old brother served as one of the catchers. This familial support added an emotional layer to Raleigh’s achievement. “It just means the world,” he reflected after the event, expressing disbelief at his victory.
In the final round, Raleigh set the pace, starting from the left side of the plate. He quickly found his rhythm, hitting seven home runs before taking a timeout. He continued with eight additional home runs in the final minute, including a dramatic shot that just cleared the fence as time expired. Following a bonus round, where he added three more home runs, he finished with a total of 18. Caminero needed 19 home runs to win, but fell short with 15.
Raleigh’s win marked a significant milestone, making him the first catcher and the first switch-hitter to ever win the Home Run Derby. The event captured the essence of family dreams in baseball, with the Raleighs sharing an unforgettable moment on a grand stage.
Highlighting the Competition
The evening was marked by a mix of excitement and disappointment as some of the league’s prominent players showcased their power. Jazz Chisholm Jr., a former division rival, struggled in the opening round, hitting just three home runs, the lowest of the night. In contrast, Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves electrified the crowd with 15 home runs, though it was not enough to advance.
Young talent James Wood from the Washington Nationals also made an impression, hitting 16 homers, including a remarkable 486-foot shot that soared over the right field wall. The competition intensified when Raleigh and Brent Rooker of the Oakland Athletics ended their first rounds tied with 17 home runs, leading to a tiebreaker that Raleigh won by the narrowest of margins.
As the semifinals unfolded, Byron Buxton struggled to replicate his earlier success, hitting only seven home runs, while Caminero advanced with 21 homers in his first round. Raleigh continued to dominate, hitting 19 home runs in the semifinals, setting a high bar for O’Neil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite Cruz’s impressive 513-foot home run, he could only muster 13 homers, paving the way for the final showdown.
A Night to Remember
The Home Run Derby is not just about individual accolades; it represents dreams and aspirations shared among families. After the event, the Raleigh family signed a baseball for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, marking a moment of personal and professional significance. As his father signed the ball, Cal Raleigh expressed his astonishment at the evening’s events, calling it “kind of surreal.”
With the victory, Raleigh will take home a winner’s purse of $1 million and the distinction of batting fourth for the American League in the upcoming All-Star Game. The night not only highlighted Raleigh’s exceptional talent but also underscored the emotional connections that make baseball a beloved sport across generations.
