2025 Home Run Derby: Cal Raleigh Makes History as First Catcher to Win, Escapes First Round by a Nail-Biting Inch!

Cal Raleigh made history by becoming the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby. This exciting event took place during the All-Star break, where he faced off against Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, emerging victorious with a score of 18 to 15.

Raleigh, a Seattle Mariners star, not only made his mark as the second Mariner to win the Derby—joining the legendary Ken Griffey Jr.—but also as the first switch hitter to win outright. The other, Ruben Sierra, shared the title back in 1998.

What made this Derby extra special was Raleigh’s family involvement. His father, Todd, pitched to him while his younger brother, Todd Jr., caught. “It means the world,” Raleigh said. “I could have hit zero home runs and still had a great time.”

Raleigh had a fantastic showcase, leaving the audience breathless as he hit homer after homer. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Caminero almost caught up to him, but he slowed down during the final round.

Raleigh has been having a fantastic season. Before the Derby, he hit 38 home runs, the most in MLB, and is on track to potentially break Aaron Judge’s record of 62 homers. If successful, it would mark a significant achievement, not just for him but for the Mariners.

In an unexpected twist, controversy brewed during the final. Early in his round, Caminero hit a ball that might have cleared the fence. A young fan caught it, leading to uncertainty about whether it was a home run. After reviewing the play, umpires ruled it a homer, avoiding any disputes.

One of the highlights of the night was Oneil Cruz, known for his incredible power. Although he didn’t win, he had the longest home runs, hitting one ball an impressive 513 feet. This tied him with Aaron Judge for the longest homer in the last decade of the Derby, not counting the high-altitude numbers from Coors Field.

To reach the finals, Raleigh narrowly escaped elimination in the first round. Tied with Brent Rooker, both had impressive distances, but Raleigh’s longest was just slightly further at 470.63 feet compared to Rooker’s 470.61 feet—just an inch apart.

As Raleigh continues his journey, he adds another layer to the Mariners’ rich history and a new chapter to his own story. The Home Run Derby not only highlighted his skills but also brought the joy of family to the forefront, resonating with fans everywhere.

For more insights on sports history and player achievements, you can check the MLB’s official website.

Source link

Cal Raleigh, Home Run Derby, Junior Caminero, the Derby, MLB, Aaron Judge, Brent Rooker, Kevin C. Cox, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Byron Buxton, Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates, Matt Olson, Minnesota Twins