Cal Raleigh treated the All-Star Home Run Derby like a backyard game — with his dad pitching and his younger brother catching. But instead of grass and fences, this time it was Truist Park, packed with tens of thousands of fans and a $1 million prize on the line.
“It all started with me coming home and begging him to throw me pitches in the yard or even inside the house — stuff we probably shouldn’t have been doing,” said a smiling Cal, joined by his father Todd and 15-year-old brother Todd Jr., after defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round Monday night.
Todd Raleigh, a former college baseball coach at Tennessee and Western Carolina, was on the mound for the Derby, while Cal’s teenage brother crouched behind the plate. At 28 and making his first All-Star appearance, Cal became the first catcher and first switch-hitter to win the Derby, joining Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners to claim the crown. Griffey, a three-time winner, was on the field capturing the moment with photos.
“Every kid who plays baseball dreams about moments like this,” said Todd Raleigh. “I did. Cal did. But as a parent, the dream becomes seeing your child truly happy.”
