Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Mariners catcher makes Fenway Park history against childhood team

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/16/23

Seattle Mariners third-year catcher Cal Raleigh made history at Fenway Park on Monday night in his team's 10-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Raleigh's performance came in a homecoming of sorts and happened with his grandmother in the crowd as well.

Cal Raleigh grew up as a diehard Red Sox fan. He attended his first game at Fenway in 2004. Jason Varitek was his favorite player. Cal’s father, Todd, pitched in the Boston organization. Remarkable story. @MLBNetwork @Mariners @SeattleSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 16, 2023

Cal Raleigh spoke with @jonmorosi about becoming the first catcher ever to homer from both sides of the plate at Fenway Park and what that means to him.@Mariners | @Casamigos | #MLBNShowcase pic.twitter.com/r6zc5fcC3p
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 16, 2023

While Raleigh was born in Cullowhee, NC, he has family in New England and he noted that he was a passionate Red Sox fan, particularly during their runs to the 2004 and 2007 World Series titles. Former three-time All-Star backstop Jason Varitek (a switch hitter as well), was ironically drafted by the Mariners in the first round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft before being traded to the Red Sox in 1997 before his big-league debut.

Seattle selected Raleigh in the third round of the 2018 draft and he made his big-league debut in July 2021. After finishing third on the team with 27 home runs last season (despite having just 370 at bats), Raleigh currently leads the Mariners in RBI (22) and is tied for second with his seven home runs.

The 26-year-old will look to stay hot in the second contest of a three-game set on Tuesday with first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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