Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to win the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, defeating Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero in the final on Monday night. Raleigh hit 18 home runs to Caminero’s 15 in the final round.
Raleigh, known as “The Big Dumper,” joins Ken Griffey Jr. as the only two Mariners to win the event. The first-round tiebreaker was decided by just one home run, with Raleigh hitting a 470.61-foot shot that surpassed his competitor’s 470.53-foot blast.
“Anybody who’s ever played baseball dreams of this,” Raleigh said about competing in the Home Run Derby. “As a parent, you want your kids to be happy.”
Raleigh was almost eliminated in the first round due to a tiebreaker with Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker. However, he won the tiebreaker by just one home run and went on to win the contest.
The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby saw some exciting moments, including a record-breaking 513-foot shot from Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz. Caminero praised the experience, saying “I had a lot of fun… I’m still an All-Star.”
Rooker expressed confusion over his final moment in the first round due to unclear instructions. Despite the controversy, the event provided an exciting experience for all participants and fans alike.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45743578/cal-raleigh-first-catcher-win-all-star-home-run-derby