Cal Raleigh hits 60th homer as Mariners clinch first AL West title in 24 years
AP
Synopsis
Seattle Mariners secured their first AL West title in 24 years. Cal Raleigh's two home runs led Seattle to a 9-2 victory over Colorado Rockies. The team's success was fueled by multiple All-Stars, including Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez. Mid-season acquisitions Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor strengthened the team. Bryan Woo's performance was key for the rotation.
By Mukesh Thapliyal, Global Desk
Cal Raleigh powered the Seattle Mariners to their first AL West championship in 24 years Wednesday night, hitting two home runs to bring his season total to a major league-leading 60. The switch-hitting catcher’s heroics helped Seattle secure a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies, clinching the fourth division crown in the franchise’s 49-year history.
Seattle, the only MLB team yet to appear in a World Series, last won the AL West in 2001, a season highlighted by Ichiro Suzuki’s record-setting rookie campaign. Like that team, this Mariners squad’s success was fueled by more than just one player. In addition to Raleigh, the 2025 roster features four other All-Stars: outfielders Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez, right-hander Bryan Woo, and closer Andrés Muñoz.
Despite this talent, Seattle entered the mid-summer break barely above .500. To strengthen the team, President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto acquired slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez and versatile first baseman Josh Naylor from Arizona. Since the trade deadline, the Mariners have gone 31-17, with Naylor delivering late-game heroics to clinch a playoff spot.
The Mariners’ success isn’t just offensive. Injuries to starters Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Logan Evans tested the rotation, but Luis Castillo has been steady, and Bryan Woo broke out in his first All-Star season, leading Seattle in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, and WAR.
Looking ahead, Woo’s availability will be key for the postseason as Seattle chases its first World Series appearance. While the franchise has never advanced past the AL Championship Series, this team has depth, multiple All-Stars, and a powerful lineup. Raleigh may dominate headlines, but Seattle’s balanced roster gives it a chance to write a new chapter in franchise history and aim higher in October.
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Seattle, the only MLB team yet to appear in a World Series, last won the AL West in 2001, a season highlighted by Ichiro Suzuki’s record-setting rookie campaign. Like that team, this Mariners squad’s success was fueled by more than just one player. In addition to Raleigh, the 2025 roster features four other All-Stars: outfielders Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez, right-hander Bryan Woo, and closer Andrés Muñoz.
Despite this talent, Seattle entered the mid-summer break barely above .500. To strengthen the team, President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto acquired slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez and versatile first baseman Josh Naylor from Arizona. Since the trade deadline, the Mariners have gone 31-17, with Naylor delivering late-game heroics to clinch a playoff spot.
The Mariners’ success isn’t just offensive. Injuries to starters Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Logan Evans tested the rotation, but Luis Castillo has been steady, and Bryan Woo broke out in his first All-Star season, leading Seattle in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, and WAR.
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Looking ahead, Woo’s availability will be key for the postseason as Seattle chases its first World Series appearance. While the franchise has never advanced past the AL Championship Series, this team has depth, multiple All-Stars, and a powerful lineup. Raleigh may dominate headlines, but Seattle’s balanced roster gives it a chance to write a new chapter in franchise history and aim higher in October.
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