The Seattle Mariners are reveling in an unforgettable moment in franchise history, with the spotlight shining brightly on catcher Cal Raleigh and his girlfriend, Hannah Shimek, who is jubilantly by his side.
On September 24, 2025, Raleigh etched his name in the annals of Major League Baseball by becoming the first catcher ever to hit 60 home runs in a season. This remarkable achievement not only solidified his individual legacy but also propelled the Mariners to clinch the American League West title for the first time since 2001.
Following the historic game, Shimek took to social media, sharing a heartfelt video from the field during the division-clinching celebration, exclaiming, “The little kid in me is SCREAMING.”
In a subsequent post, Shimek candidly shared a snapshot of Raleigh enjoying the moment, enthusiastically downing two beers simultaneously amidst the spirited clubhouse celebration, captioning it with a heartfelt “I. LOVE. YOU.”
Raleigh’s remarkable achievement crowns a season characterized by excellence and resilience, positioning him in the distinguished company of legends like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Aaron Judge. He has played an instrumental role in reigniting the Mariners’ postseason aspirations with his unprecedented 60 home runs — a feat that heralds a new era for the franchise.
“It’s surreal. Sixty home runs? I honestly never expected to reach this milestone in my career,” Raleigh reflected after the game, visibly moved. “What a way to achieve it here tonight. I cherish this team and this city.”
On the field, teammates showered Raleigh with champagne while the exhilarated crowd at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park erupted in a chorus of celebration. Shimek was not only present for the moment but also captured the spirit of the occasion through her spontaneous photographs as fireworks lit up the night sky.
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Seattle’s manager, Scott Servais, did not shy away from showering praise on his standout catcher, branding him an “MVP candidate” and highlighting Raleigh’s dependable performance throughout the season. “This has been truly his year,” Servais affirmed in a post-game statement.
In an impromptu moment that encapsulated the jubilation, Raleigh became an overnight sensation after passionately declaring on live television, “Might as well go win the whole f*ing thing!” during an interview with Root Sports. Such candid expressions are the spice that fans relish.
Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez echoed sentiments of camaraderie within the team, asserting, “We genuinely care about one another; we would lay it all on the line for each other day in and day out.”
As the Mariners turn their sights to their next game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, September 25, they approach this crucial moment brimming with optimism. The postseason beckons, set to kick off on Tuesday, September 30, with the Wild Card series paving the way to the illustrious World Series.
