Seattle Mariners’ slugger Cal Raleigh made history on Monday night at Truist Park by becoming the first catcher ever to win the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Raleigh hit an astounding total of 54 homers during the event, capturing the spotlight with a display of power that will be remembered for years to come.
In a showdown that took place in Atlanta, Raleigh’s path to victory included a semifinal triumph over Pirates’ power hitter Oneil Cruz and a tight final round win over Junior Caminero, edging him out 18-15. Raleigh’s journey was marked by intensity, especially with his combined 37 home runs across the last two rounds.
Highlights and Historical Milestones of Raleigh’s Derby Victory
Raleigh’s win is historically significant not only because he is the first catcher to claim the title but also because of the notable achievements tied to the Mariners franchise. He follows Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr., joining him as one of only two Mariners to ever win the Home Run Derby, with Griffey securing the title three times.
The victory also elevated the Mariners’ franchise to tie with the New York Yankees for most Home Run Derby wins, each holding four titles. Entering the All-Star break, Raleigh now holds the record for the most home runs (38) by any Derby winner.
The contest came down to razor-thin margins during the opening round, where Raleigh matched A’s Brent Rooker with 17 home runs. Raleigh advanced after his longest homer outdistanced Rooker’s by just under an inch in the tiebreaker, illustrating the intense competition of the event.
Family Support and Memorable Moments Enhance Raleigh’s Night
Adding a personal touch to his win, Cal Raleigh had his father, Todd Raleigh, pitching to him throughout the competition, while his brother, Todd Jr., served as the catcher. This family involvement gave the moment an emotional depth that went beyond the statistics.
Former WWE champion Cody Rhodes presented Raleigh with the Home Run Derby title belt, further highlighting the event‘s entertainment value and celebratory atmosphere. The night also featured notable moments beyond Raleigh’s performance, such as a young fan robbing Junior Caminero of a home run and Jazz Chisholm Jr. having a rare poor showing during the clock era.
Raleigh’s Selection to Team USA Adds to a Stellar Day
The Home Run Derby was not the only highlight for Raleigh on the day. Prior to his power show in Atlanta, he was named to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, cementing his status as one of baseball’s rising stars on an international stage. This selection reflects confidence in Raleigh’s potential to contribute at the highest levels of competition going forward.
Paul George Faces Setbacks as 76ers Deal with Injury Woes
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the offseason hoping for a resurgence after a disappointing 24-58 season, but concerns mounted following news that star forward Paul George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The injury occurred during an offseason workout, sidelining George indefinitely with no guarantee of his readiness for the 2024-25 season opener.
At 35 years old, George’s health issues have been a recurring challenge, with last season seeing him miss 41 games and his scoring dip to 16.2 points per game—his lowest since 2014-15. The financial implications for the 76ers are significant, as George’s contract still carries $162.2 million in guaranteed money over the next three years, adding pressure to the team’s rebuilding efforts.
Alongside George’s injury struggles, Joel Embiid’s limited availability last season—just 19 games played—contributed to the team’s collapse. However, the 76ers gained optimism by securing the No. 3 overall pick in the recent <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Draft, selecting Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, who has already shown promise during Summer League play.
Garrett Wilson Secures $130 Million Extension with New York Jets
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson has solidified his role as a cornerstone player for the New York Jets by signing a four-year contract extension worth $130 million. Now entering his fourth NFL season, Wilson has consistently delivered, surpassing 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three years—a feat achieved by only four other players in NFL history.
The financial details of his contract are eye-catching, including $90 million guaranteed, which ranks fourth among wide receivers, and an annual average salary of $32.5 million, the fifth highest among his position peers. Remarkably, Wilson became the first wide receiver to sign a deal exceeding $31 million yearly after just three seasons in the league.
Wilson’s success has come despite inconsistent quarterback play from Zach Wilson and aging veteran Aaron Rodgers. Optimism remains that new Jets quarterback Justin Fields can elevate Wilson’s production even further this upcoming season.
With Wilson’s extension finalized, the Jets eye similar deals for other notable members of their 2022 draft class, including cornerback Sauce Gardner and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II, both of whom are currently under contract through 2026 due to fifth-year options.
“This deal comes off the heels of the Jets picking up Wilson’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, a move that the club also did to lock in fellow draft classmates, cornerback Sauce Gardner and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. Both players are currently contractually tied to the organization through the 2026 season under the option, but will likely be looking for extensions of their own similar to Wilson. On top of that trio of first-round picks, the Jets also had some success on Day 2, specifically with the selection of running back Breece Hall at No. 36 overall in the second round.” —Tyler Sullivan
NFL Coaches Rise and Fall in Latest 2025 Rankings
The annual evaluation of NFL coaches brought significant shifts in the 2025 rankings, dividing the league’s 32 coaches into three tiers: unproven or underwhelming, serviceable veterans, and the elite tier labeled as the cream of the crop.
Many rankings surprised observers, including Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who dropped nine spots to number 20 in Tier 2. Analysts suggest his offense has lost momentum after initially impressive seasons, reflecting growing concerns about his ability to maintain discipline and consistency.
“Not long ago hailed as the whiz kid responsible for unlocking Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel has lately struggled to keep Miami disciplined. He’s undoubtedly invested in his troops, and proven capable of steering an explosive offensive attack, but now it’s formidability — not just fireworks — that he needs to unearth, lest the Dolphins keep treading water.” —Cody Benjamin
On the other hand, Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles surged from 15th to fourth after leading the team to a Super Bowl victory, cementing his status as a top head coach in the league.
“His brash antics to close a pitiful 2023 collapse were enough to have Eagles fans reasonably pondering whether he’d totally failed an all-star assembly. Then he put his head down and became the behind-the-scenes glue for a remarkable rebound with a historically dominant finish.” —Cody Benjamin
WNBA Power Rankings Highlight Alyssa Thomas and Team Struggles
The latest WNBA Power Rankings, curated by analyst Jack Maloney, spotlight the Phoenix Mercury and their standout player Alyssa Thomas, whose MVP-level performances have propelled the team to first place. Thomas’s impact on the floor has been crucial to the Mercury’s success in the competitive league.
Conversely, the Indiana Fever suffered a setback after a promising stretch ended with three consecutive heavy defeats. The return of star guard Arike Ogunbowale, sidelined by a thumb injury for over two weeks, did not bring the expected boost, as she struggled extensively in recent games.
“The Wings’ mid-season turnaround came to a sharp halt this week with three defeats by a combined 60 points. Arike Ogunbowale’s return from a thumb injury that had kept her out for over two weeks was forgettable. She went 0 of 10 from the field in their loss to the Fever and has now scored in single digits six times this season.” —Jack Maloney
Additional Noteworthy Sports Updates and Highlights
Beyond the marquee stories, several other sports narratives unfolded recently, including speculation about college football coaching fits for Nick Saban, continued struggles in recruiting battles for Texas, and potential trade scenarios involving the San Francisco 49ers’ Jauan Jennings.
In basketball, rookie Yang Hansen is already drawing praise as a potential NBA Draft steal, while Victor Wembanyama has fully recovered from blood clots and returned to team activities. The Chargers’ wide receiver Mike Williams was noted to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, raising concerns about his availability.
Events and Viewing Schedule for Tuesday Night
Sports fans can look forward to several exciting events Tuesday evening, including the NBA Las Vegas Summer League action, with details on how to watch the games. Baseball enthusiasts will tune into the MLB All-Star Game airing at 8 p.m. on Fox, while the WNBA contest featuring the Indiana Fever at the Connecticut Sun will broadcast simultaneously on ESPN.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Cal Raleigh the Big Dumper?
A. Raleigh got the nickname “Big Dumper” because of his backside. It was made popular by his former teammate Jarred Kelenic. Kelenic began using the nickname in 2020 and even tweeted about it in 2021 when Raleigh joined the Mariners. Although Raleigh’s mom isn’t fond of the nickname, she values the fans’ support for her son.
Q. How much is Cal Raleigh paid?
A. He receives a $10 million signing bonus once the commissioner approves the contract. His salary is $1 million this year, $11 million in 2027, $12 million in 2028, and $23 million per year for the next three years.
Q. Is Cal Raleigh any good?
A. In 94 games, Cal Raleigh leads Major League Baseball with 38 home runs and 81 RBIs. He has also achieved a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 6.2, according to FanGraphs. This places him second in MLB for the season, only behind Aaron Judge’s 7.1 WAR, and he stands fourth among all MLB catchers over a full season since 2015.
Q. How much does Cal Raleigh make?
A. Cal Raleigh, a catcher, and the Seattle Mariners have settled on a six-year contract worth $105 million. Raleigh’s new contract replaces the previous $5.6 million, one-year deal made to avoid salary arbitration in January.