Buster Olney of ESPN joined a recent episode of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.
In 2025, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh attended the two biggest University of Washington football games against Ohio State and Oregon. We've seen him on the sideline at Seattle Seahawks games this offseason and in the crowd at Seattle Kraken games.
Recently, he attended Rick Rizzs's retirement press conference and was seen watching the NFC title game with M's skipper Dan Wilson.
Now, Raleigh is not the only Mariners player who loves Seattle and part of his attendance at these things stems from the fact that he bought a house in Seattle recently and is readily in town, but it's still noteworthy.
Julio Rodriguez is clearly one of the faces of the M's, but Raleigh is too, and he's embraced it completely over the last calendar year. He's been a constant presence in the community and seeing him at Rizzs's press conference just crystallized that even further.
And we asked ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney about it all on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose' podcast:
"And that's the way you'd want it from the franchise perspective. Look, a great example of that was Felix Hernandez. It felt like that not only did he sign the big contract to stay with the Mariners long term, but he also understood that with that comes some responsibility for representing the organization. And you want the player to look at that as being a plus and not an obligation.
There was so much talk during Kyle Tucker's free agency that, you know, he's a great player, he brings a lot to the table in terms of being a great hitter, and he's a good defender and he can run the bases well. But the perception of him is that he really is not interested in doing all the other things of showing up to represent the organization, of making a point if broadcasters retiring to show up and demonstrate support. Cal's on the other end of the spectrum. I think not only did he sign the contract long term, has the house in Seattle, but I think he enjoys all that and understands that rather than an obligation, it seems like he looks at it as a perk."
In addition to embracing his role as a franchise ambassador, Raleigh is also one of the best players in the sport. MLB Network just ranked him as the fourth-best player in the league after he finished second in the American League MVP voting. He had 60 home runs and 125 RBIs in 2025 as the M's got within one game of the World Series.
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