Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has confirmed his participation with the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The announcement was made this Monday, generating great expectation among fans.
Raleigh has had an outstanding season, setting an American League record with 38 home runs before the All-Star Game. He is only one away from tying Barry Bonds’ 2001 mark, who recorded 39 home runs before the break.
Additionally, Raleigh joins legends like Babe Ruth (1921), Reggie Jackson (1969), and Ken Griffey Jr. (1998) in reaching at least 38 home runs and 10 stolen bases in their team’s first 96 games.The Mariners’ batter joins the list of figures who have already confirmed their participation with Team USA, including Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
In the current season, Raleigh has demonstrated his power with 82 RBIs and an OPS of 1.011 in just 94 games.
The team will be managed by Mark DeRosa for the second consecutive time. In the 2023 tournament, the United States fell to Japan in the championship game.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to 17. The games will be played in Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the semifinals and final in Miami.
The United States will compete in Group B of the first round at Minute Maid Park in Houston, along with Great Britain, Brazil, Italy, and Mexico, from March 6 to 11.
Team USA conquered the World Baseball Classic for the last time in 2017.
