Cal Raleigh enjoys full circle moment with dad, brother taking part in Home Run Derby

The Home Run Derby was a truly full-circle moment for Cal Raleigh – aka Big Dumper – with his dad, Todd Raleigh, on the mound throwing to him and his 15-year-old brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., behind the plate catching. 

Making it an even more heartwarming story, Raleigh won the 2026 Home Run Derby with 18 home runs — beating out Rays infielder Junior Caminero, who came up just three shy of tying the Mariners star in the final round. 

“I just can’t believe I won, it’s unbelievable,” Raleigh said to ESPN. 

The North Carolina native felt right at home during this year’s MLB All-Star festivities, where he was taking part in the Home Run Derby on Monday night and the American League team’s starting catcher on Tuesday, in Atlanta. 

Raleigh beat out the A’s Brent Rooker to advance to the semifinals and then toppled Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz to reach the finals. 

The Mariners star included his father and brother in his All-Star festivities moment as a way to thank his dad for the role he played in his career. 

“It’s just a great accomplishment and I think that every dad that’s had a kid, this is what they dreamed about,” Todd said. “And as a dad, you kind of dream about it. To see it come true for your son is unbelievable.” 

Raleigh’s father played a crucial role in his development, stepping away from his college baseball coaching career to move the family to North Carolina to help his son’s baseball career. 

Todd couldn’t contain his excitement as Raleigh hit his 15th home run in the finals of the Home Run Derby as he lifted his arms in excitement while watching he ball go over the wall. 

His brother, Todd Jr., lifted his mask and could be seen saying something to Raleigh as the ball went into the stands. 

When asked what Todd Jr. had seen while behind the plate catching for his brother, he simply responded, “Greatness. 

Todd coached at Western Carolina and Tennessee even built Raleigh a workout facility in their home in North Carolina. 

Speaking prior to the event, Raleigh said that including his dad was a way for him to show appreciation for all the opportunities his dad gave him. 

“My dad gave me the opportunity to be bat boy for his teams. I still remember to this day, some of my favorite memories on the baseball field,” Raleigh said, according to USA Today prior to the Derby. “Trying to do the same thing for him. Hopefully he’s not too nervous tonight.”