Wed Jul 16 10:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Fulfils Childhood Prophecy, Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
**ATLANTA** – In a surreal moment that blended destiny with athleticism, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh captured the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby title Monday night, fulfilling a prophecy he made 20 years ago in a now-viral video.
The video, unearthed from family archives and recorded on a pre-smartphone handheld camera, shows an 8-year-old Raleigh declaring, “I’m the Home Run Derby champ!” The clip spread rapidly across social media and within the Mariners’ organization leading up to the event, adding an extra layer of anticipation to Raleigh’s debut.
Adding to the emotional resonance of the victory, Raleigh’s father, Todd Sr., who filmed the original video, was on the mound throwing pitches, while his younger brother, Todd Jr., served as the catcher.
“The video is crazy,” Raleigh said after his win at Truist Park. “Just kind of surreal. You don’t think you’re going to win it. You don’t think you’ll ever get invited. Then you get invited. The fact that you win it with your family, super special. Just what a night.”
Raleigh’s path to victory was far from assured. He narrowly advanced through the first round by a mere 0.96 inches in a tiebreaker against Brent Rooker, his longest homerun measuring 470.62 feet versus Rooker’s 470.54 feet. He then cruised past Oneil Cruz in the second round and ultimately outlasted Junior Caminero in the finals.
The Mariners’ slugger also experimented with switch-hitting during the first round, mirroring Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman’s approach in 2023, but ultimately stuck with his stronger left-handed swing for the remainder of the competition.
Raleigh’s Home Run Derby triumph marks a fitting continuation of his dominant 2025 season, where he leads the league in home runs with 38, just one shy of Barry Bonds’ record for home runs before the All-Star break.
More than the victory itself, Raleigh emphasized the importance of sharing the experience with his family. His father expressed pride in witnessing his son’s success, while his brother, Todd Jr., lauded Raleigh’s work ethic and dedication.
Monday night’s Home Run Derby victory stands as the latest, and perhaps most significant, chapter in Raleigh’s storybook season, fueling expectations for a strong second half and beyond.
First Piper 