When Seattle Mariners All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh steps into the batter’s box for this week’s Home Run Derby, he’ll be carrying the weight of history on his shoulders. The Mariners’ backstop announced on Friday that he’ll be competing in the sport’s premier power-hitting event, set for July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta. Honestly, after what we’ve witnessed this season, it feels like destiny calling. But you know what makes this story so compelling? When a right-hander All-Star is left speechless by what you’re doing at the plate, you know something special is happening.

The Mariners’ franchise cornerstone, or what fans prefer to call him “Big Dumper,” Raleigh has been obliterating records left and right. You know, prior to the All-Star game, he had already reached 30 homers, becoming the first switch-hitter in MLB history to do so. Now, with 38 home runs already under his belt, he’s chasing some pretty legendary company: Mickey Mantle’s switch-hitter record of 54 and Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners franchise record of 56.

Seeing Raleigh’s dominance on the diamond, his old college roommate and right-handed All-Star, Bryan Woo, captured the clubhouse sentiment perfectly: “At the beginning of the year, it was like, all right, he is off to a great start. And then he just kept going, and it was like, wow, this is pretty cool. then it was like, holy —-, he’s going off. And now it’s kind of just like, what is going on?” Woo further highlighted how, as the season proceeds, everyone has started realizing it’s a “historic season” for Raleigh.

Woo concluded his high praise with: “We’re kind of just as dumbfounded as all the fans are.” There can’t be a better description of everyone’s reaction to watching Big Dumper this season.

And why wouldn’t his peers be this bewildered? Raleigh’s 93 home runs are also the most in Mariners history through any player’s first four career seasons, surpassing Alvin Davis with 92. He has consistently broken franchise records for catchers year after year.

Mariners’ Cal Raleigh’s custom bats bring Seattle swagger to the derby

Speaking of making statements, Raleigh isn’t just bringing his historic power to Monday night’s Home Run Derby; he’s bringing serious lumber and Northwest swagger. The slugger who’s rewriting franchise history has custom bats that scream personality, including multiple Big Dumper sticks and a tribute to the beloved Seattle SuperSonics that perfectly captures his deep connection to the Emerald City.

Raleigh’s SuperSonics homage isn’t just nostalgic pandering. The six-year contract extension he signed before the season cemented his commitment to Seattle, and his genuine love for the Pacific Northwest continues to manifest in creative ways. This latest bat design follows his previous SuperSonics tributes during MLB Players Weekend, proving his dedication runs deeper than baseball.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for Raleigh’s Derby debut. He enters with a league-leading 38 home runs and has shattered two monumental records during his historic first half. Monday’s Home Run Derby at 5 p.m. PT serves as the appetizer before Raleigh’s main course. He’ll start behind the plate for the American League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, catching for Detroit’s Tarik Skubal in what promises to be an unforgettable week for Seattle’s newest superstar.