Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh named AL starter for MLB All-Star Game

Adam Jude, The Seattle Times on Jul 2, 2025

Published in Baseball

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SEATTLE — Everyone, it seems, is catching on to the greatness of the Seattle Mariners’ newest star.

Cal Raleigh’s breakthrough season reached new heights Wednesday when he was voted in as the American League’s starting catcher for the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta on July 15.

It’s the first All-Star appearance for the 28-year-old Raleigh, who leads the majors in home runs (33) and runs batted in (71) this season.

Raleigh became just the fifth player in MLB history to hit 33 home runs before the end of June, joining the Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. (1998), the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa (1998), the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire (1998) and the Giants’ Barry Bonds (2001).

Raleigh is the first Mariners player named an AL All-Star starter since designated hitter Nelson Cruz in 2015 and the first catcher in club history named a starter in an All-Star game.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson is the only other Seattle catcher named to an All-Star team (as a reserve) in 1996.

Last week, Raleigh accepted an invitation to participate in his first MLB Home Run Derby, scheduled for July 14 at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Raleigh’s dad, Todd, will pitch to him and his 15-year-old brother, Todd Jr., will be the catcher.