HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 06: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners reacts to hitting a two ruhn home run during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 06, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
For the first time since 2001, the Seattle Mariners are AL West division champions.
The team secured its division title on Wednesday night after a 9-2 home win against the Colorado Rockies. The Mariners, who beat the Houston Astros to the crown, also clinched a playoff berth the night before for only the second time in 24 years.
“I love this organization, city and teammates,” designated hitter Cal Raleigh said after the game. “It’s just been great. To do it in this fashion has been crazy and exciting and fun, and everything that I hoped and dreamed it would be.”
Raleigh played a huge part of the Mariners’ success in 2025. The 28-year-old recorded his 60th home run on Wednesday, continuing to put himself in the MVP race as the postseason approaches.
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“It’s crazy. 60 is … I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I don’t know if I was going to hit 60 in my life. Just tonight, what a way to do it.”
Only three teams have had longer division title droughts than the Mariners before this season. The Rockies and the Miami Marlins have yet to win their respective divisions since joining the league in 1993, while the Pittsburgh Pirates have not won the NL Central division since 1992.
This postseason, the Mariners are looking to break an unwanted title: being the only franchise in the MLB to never feature in a World Series. After a loss by the Cleveland Guardians early on Friday, the team official clinched a first-round bye.
“We’re not done yet,” Raleigh said. “Obviously we’ll enjoy this moment, celebrate. Like I said, we’ve got bigger things on the horizon.”
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