Raleigh meets fan who gave away home run 60 to a child: Emotional gesture

Cal Raleigh and an unforgettable gesture after his 60th home run

The Mariners’ star catcher, Cal Raleigh, hit his 60th home run, an achievement that places him in a select club within the baseball world. This milestone also generated a memorable moment in the stands of T-Mobile Park. During Wednesday night’s victory against the Colorado Rockies, which secured Seattle their first American League West title in 24 years, the fan who caught Raleigh’s 60th home run ball, gave it to a child in the right field stands. The security workers of the team escorted the boy and his father to authenticate the ball. The Mariners reported that the boy exchanged the ball for a bat signed by Raleigh and an invitation to witness batting practice on the field. Adam Gresch, senior communications manager for the Mariners, put out a call on social media on Thursday for anyone who knew “this incredible fan” to send him a direct message. The initiative was successful, as Gresch tweeted later that same day that the fan, identified as Glenn, met with Raleigh before the final game of the series against the Rockies. According to Gresch, Raleigh gave Glenn and his family a signed bat and two baseballs, which the fan gave to his children.

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Update: The fan who caught Cal’s 60th HR ball, Glenn, met with Cal today! Cal gave him and his family a signed bat and two baseballs (which he gave to his kids).

Awesome moment. pic.twitter.com/H3l5t87d8f

— Adam Gresch (@adamgresch) September 27, 2024

The child’s father, for his part, described the gesture as “a complete, kind, sincere, and random act of kindness.”

I told him the lesson: ‘No matter what happens, this is the kind of moment you should return to later in life,'” commented Galan Ruelos. “It was beautiful and very moving.

Galan Ruelos

Ruelos explained that his 12-year-old son, Marcus, never mentioned the possibility of getting money for the ball. The Mariners offered the signed bat and took the family’s contact information, and that was that.

My son whispered to me and said: ‘Dad, since it’s Cal’s, I want him to have [the ball],'” Galan Ruelos recounted. “He never thought, are we going to keep it for money? That wasn’t even a thought.
We have the future MVP, hopefully, and [Marcus] touched history. That’s something more precious. He will live with that forever.

Galan Ruelos

Raleigh joins a select group of seven players in Major League history who have reached 60 home runs in a season, alongside names like Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Aaron Judge. With four games remaining, Raleigh could surpass Judge to set a new American League record.