Cal Raleigh secures Home Run Derby victory, with his father and brother contributing significant support
In a thrilling display of power hitting and memorable performances, Cal Raleigh made history at the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, becoming the first catcher ever to claim the title. The event, held in Atlanta on July 14, 2025, saw eight premier sluggers, including James Wood, Brent Rooker, Junior Caminero, Oneil Cruz, Byron Buxton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cal Raleigh, and Matt Olson, showcasing their prowess [1][2].
The Derby followed a unique format, with each hitter given three minutes or 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible. The top four contestants advanced to the semifinals, where knockout matchups determined the finalists [2].
Byron Buxton, with his impressive display of power, stood out in the first round, hitting 20 home runs, including several towering shots. He finished strongly with seven homers in the final minute [1]. James Wood also left his mark, hitting the longest home run of the Derby, a 486-foot shot, marking the longest homer in a Derby since 2019, excluding Coors Field events [1].
The semifinals saw Cal Raleigh and Junior Caminero advance to the finals, with Raleigh setting up a historic showdown. His father was his pitcher for the derby, and his 15-year-old brother was one of the event's catchers [1].
In the finals, Raleigh, affectionately nicknamed for his prodigious posterior, demonstrated his skills, defeating Caminero with a total of 15 home runs. Caminero fell short, finishing with 15 home runs in the final round, needing 19 to claim victory [1][2].
Raleigh's historic win earns him the $1 million winner's purse and a spot as the fourth batter for the American League squad in Tuesday's All-Star Game [1]. As he dons his gaudy bejeweled championship chain, Raleigh is close to record pace for home runs in a season, making him a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming games.
This year's Home Run Derby was a testament to the power and skill of the modern slugger, with Raleigh's historic victory serving as a highlight in the event's 40-year history.
The unique Derby format, with its three-minute or 40 pitches limit, allowed premier sluggers such as Cal Raleigh to showcase their baseball skills in the MLB event. In an exciting turn of events, Raleigh, the first catcher ever to win the Derby, set a record with 15 home runs in the finals.
