The 2025 season was a whirlwind of historic achievements for Cal Raleigh, yet it ended with a sting of near misses. Now, the Seattle Mariners' star catcher has his sights set firmly on the ultimate prize in 2026.
Last year, Cal Raleigh didn't just have a good season; he etched his name in Major League Baseball history. He became the first catcher and first switch-hitter ever to blast 60 home runs in a single season! While this incredible feat, along with numerous awards and postseason accolades, marked a banner year, it also highlighted a couple of goals that remained just out of reach. After finishing as the runner-up for the American League MVP to the formidable Aaron Judge and watching his Mariners team narrowly miss a trip to the World Series, Raleigh is more driven than ever as the 2026 season dawns.
His incredible offensive prowess was undeniable: Raleigh posted a .247 batting average and, as mentioned, led the entire league with 60 home runs. He also drove in an impressive 125 runs, ranking 3rd in MLB, and showed off his speed by going 14-for-17 on stolen base attempts, a 82.4% success rate. While the Gold Glove eluded him, he did secure the prestigious Platinum Glove in 2024, recognizing him as the best defensive catcher in the Majors. He continues to be a cornerstone of the Mariners' defense as they head into the 2026 campaign.
But here's where it gets interesting... The burgeoning rivalry between Raleigh and Aaron Judge, who himself snagged his third MVP Award last year, became a captivating storyline throughout the 2025 season. What started as fierce competition blossomed into a genuine friendship, with the two sluggers often exchanging valuable insights and advice when their paths crossed. "The first thing anybody ever wants to ask Aaron Judge is, ‘teach me how to hit’ or ‘tell me about my swing,’" Raleigh shared in a recent interview. "I know who I am now. Obviously, you always try to gain as much information, but you look at a guy who's in a big city who has a lot of pressure on him to win baseball games, leading an organization that's pretty well known."
He elaborated on his desire to learn from the best: "I want to know what other leaders do. I want to be able to pick their brain. I always want to try to gain as much information as I can, try to process that, and try to just add that to my game."
And this is the part most people miss... Despite the overwhelming success and the deafening roar of the crowd, Cal Raleigh insists he's not getting caught up in the hype. He emphasized that while fans are understandably clamoring for a repeat performance, his absolute top priority for 2026 is winning. The Mariners were agonizingly close to their first-ever World Series appearance, just a handful of outs away. Now, the 29-year-old star is laser-focused on leading his team to the Fall Classic.
"It was pretty much in front of your face the whole time," Raleigh reflected, affectionately nicknamed "Big Dumper." "I'd be warming up in the clubhouse, MLB Network is on, and that was something they talked about a lot." He continued, "But I think it just goes back to focusing on the right things, and kind of what got me from that spot. I think you just keep repeating what makes you successful and what makes you a good player, and what makes you do the right things each day, and you don't fall into that trap -- don't drink the Kool Aid."
He acknowledges the external noise: "You hear things. I am human," Raleigh admitted. "You go on your phone and people say stuff -- text messages or people calling you, whatever. Some people send you something on social media. Like, it is what it is. You just take it for what it is. But I'm trying to do something bigger, which is the World Series."
Now, let's talk about that "don't drink the Kool-Aid" mentality. Is it truly possible for athletes to completely tune out the immense pressure and external expectations, especially after such a historic season? Or is a certain level of awareness even necessary to fuel that drive? What are your thoughts?
