Seattle Mariners superstar catcher Cal Raleigh is all set to headline his maiden All-Star game as the starting backstop for the AL All-Stars on July 15. Before the Midsummer Classic, the switch-hitter also announced his participation in the 2025 Home Run Derby event.
While Raleigh is having a remarkable season in the big leagues and was deservedly named an All-Star, his aspirations of becoming the home run derby champion go back 20 years to when the star catcher was eight. The Mariners‘ success in the current campaign is undoubtedly credited to Raleigh, who has showcased exceptional game-reading abilities and has been lights out at the plate.
Cal Raleigh’s Childhood Video Garners Loving Reaction From MLB Fans
The Mariners beat writer with MLB.com, Daniel Kramer, shared a video on X.com that Raleigh’s father, Todd, initially shared with him. The video showcases an eight-year-old Raleigh singing and vibing to his tunes as he exclaims, “I am the Homerun Derby champ,” while bobbing a baseball bat up and down in his right hand.
Well, 20 years on, the little boy from North Carolina can well and truly achieve that dream on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. The other three names who have given the heads up to contest in the home run derby are Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr., Minnesota Twins OF Byron Buxton, and Washington Nationals OF James Wood.
When Cal Raleigh says he has childhood memories dreaming of growing up and competing in the Home Run Derby, he really means it.
📽️ ⚾️Video evidence circa 20 years ago, when Cal was only 8-years-old (shared via his dad, Todd, who will be throwing to him in Atlanta): pic.twitter.com/ABtKaXVC6Q
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) July 7, 2025
The Mariner faithful lovingly call Raleigh ‘Big Dumper.’ They quickly shared their loving reaction to the Platinum Glover’s childhood video on social media. “Baby Dumper,” commented one fan. “Put a goatee/beard on him and he looks the exact same haha,” commented another fan. “He’s had a plan. Absolute gold,” commented yet another fan.
“Yeah, this has gotta go viral before the HRD. This is incredible,” one fan commented. See if he will recreate this if he wins the derby,” another fan commented. “They need to play that before he bats in the derby,” yet another fan commented.
A historic season for Big Dumper!
Cal Raleigh has tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs hit before the All-Star break (35) in @Mariners history 😤 pic.twitter.com/7haVaJBiNi
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2025
The fans, his teammates, and the rest of the organization’s staff are excited. Raleigh has genuinely been the leader of the Mariners’ roster this season and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The switch-hitting catcher is currently leading the league in home runs (35) and is tied for second in RBIs (74) and OPS (1.0121).