On Monday, the Washington State Senate officially declared that Cal Raleigh deserved the American League’s Most Valuable Player award, echoing the sentiment of many Seattle Mariners fans disappointed by the official voting. Raleigh, the Mariners’ catcher, had an extraordinary season that saw him hit 60 home runs, the highest ever for a player at his position and surpassing Mickey Mantle’s record for home runs by a switch-hitter in a single year.
Despite these milestones, Raleigh finished second in the MVP voting, behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who secured his second consecutive Most Valuable Player honor after another remarkable season at the plate.
Senate Honors Mariners and Highlights Raleigh’s Historic Achievements
The Senate convened with Mariners Manager Dan Wilson and longtime team broadcaster Rick Rizzs joining Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck on the dais to pay tribute to the team and Raleigh’s accomplishments. A resolution was read aloud, humorously lamenting Raleigh’s MVP snub by national baseball writers.
WHEREAS, Cal Raleigh, despite setting the MLB record for home runs by a catcher in a season, shattering Mickey Mantle’s record for home runs by a switch hitter, setting a new Mariners home run record, and playing the most physically demanding position on the baseball field, was robbed by national baseball writers when they did not choose him as the American League Most Valuable Player,
the resolution stated, prompting laughter from lawmakers.
Senator Mark Schoesler, the resolution’s sponsor, emphasized the injustice on the Senate floor with a blunt statement:
That East Coast media doesn’t know anything.
Key Team Figures Attend Senate Ceremony
Jerry Dipoto, Mariners President of Baseball Operations, and General Manager Justin Hollander observed the proceedings from the gallery, though no players were present. The event drew lawmakers eager to meet Rick Rizzs, who announced his final season as the Mariners’ announcer, and Dan Wilson. Many senators shared personal stories linking themselves to the team, showing the deep local connection.
For example, Schoesler spoke about how he listened to Mariners games on the radio while working on his farm. Senator Judy Warnick recalled her centenarian mother-in-law’s habit of keeping score during games. Senator Mike Chapman shared a memory of his then 9-year-old son working as a junior broadcaster with Rick Rizzs, a moment that inspired his son to pursue baseball at a high level.
That moment was the time when we walked out of that booth, he said, ‘Dad, I want to play baseball at a high level,’
Chapman said, noting his son eventually played five years of college baseball.
Senator Bob Hasegawa reflected on the Mariners’ role in advancing baseball within the Japanese-American community.
The fact that we had Ichiro and others who were breaking the ice so their players could be introduced into America, I think the Mariners deserve a lot of thanks for that,
Hasegawa explained.
Legislative Support and Team’s Future Aspirations
The Mariners have a significant history of legislative backing. In 1995, the Washington Legislature approved funding for what is now T-Mobile Park after voters rejected a bond measure, helping keep the team in Seattle. Prior to that, county bonds from their previous venue, the Kingdome, continued to be paid off until 15 years after its demolition in 2000. More recently, lawmakers allocated funds to develop a new stadium for the Single-A Everett AquaSox, a Mariners affiliate.
Despite falling just short in Game 7 of last year’s American League Championship Series, the Mariners enter the 2026 season with high expectations, eager to reach their first World Series. Their Spring Training kicked off this month in Arizona, setting the stage for another intense campaign.
