On February 2, 2026, the Washington State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 8676, celebrating catcher Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners for their electrifying 2025 season. The resolution highlighted Raleigh’s extraordinary statistical achievements — 60 home runs, 125 RBIs, and 110 runs — and applauded the Mariners’ late-season surge to clinch the American League West title and their postseason breakthroughs.

The resolution recounts the highs and lows of the campaign: a lineup of injuries to starting pitchers, a pivotal moment on September 5 when the Mariners were 73–68 and trailing Houston by 3.5 games, followed by a dramatic 10-game winning streak and a 17–1 run in their final 18 games to finish 90–72 and win the division by three games. It also commemorates their gritty postseason, citing the 15‑inning ALDS win over the Detroit Tigers and the Game 5 ALCS comeback fueled by Raleigh’s solo home run and Eugenio Suárez’s grand slam.

Raleigh’s impact, the resolution affirms, extends beyond numbers — calling him “a symbol of perseverance and excellence.” The text asserts that he was “robbed by national baseball writers when they did not choose him as the American League Most Valuable Player” despite his milestones. Senator Mark Schoessler underscored that frustration on the Senate floor, declaring “Cal was robbed. That East Coast media doesn’t know anything.”

The resolution reads: “BE IT RESOLVED That the Washington State Senate congratulate the 2025 Seattle Mariners on winning the American League West Division and coming so close to finally reaching the World Series. And congratulate Cal Raleigh on his historic Mariners Nation MVP season.”

Though Raleigh did not attend, Mariners manager Dan Wilson, broadcaster Rick Rizzs, and President of Baseball Operations Jerry DiPoto were present as lawmakers passed the measure. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also joined the ceremony.

Why this matters: While ceremonial, the resolution reflects how deeply Seattle’s 2025 season — and Raleigh’s unprecedented achievements — resonate in the region. By officially recognizing the team’s accomplishments, the Senate turned its prestige toward affirming a shared sense of pride and reclaiming narrative weight in national debates around awards and recognition. It underscores the community’s devotion to transparency in recognition of athletic excellence — and the yearning for greater representation on the national stage.

Reporting for Columbia Countercurrent by [Your Name]

Sources:

  • Washington State Standard: “Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was ‘robbed’ of MVP, WA Senate resolves” (February 2, 2026)
  • AP via ESPN and Wikipedia entries documenting Raleigh’s 60‑home‑run season, AL West title, and postseason performance