Seattle Mariners Catcher Goes Viral For Awesome "Players Weekend" Bat

Players Weekend is designed to let players show more personality and creativity, and we'd say that Cal Raleigh accomplished that on Friday night with his custom bat.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) looks to the Mariners dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park on Aug 16. / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is already a popular player across Mariners' fandom, but he undoubtedly made a few new fans on Friday night when he debuted his custom Seattle SuperSonics bat for MLB's "Players Weekend."

Adam Jude of the "The Seattle Times" posted a picture of Raleigh's bat on social media:

Cal Raleigh has a ‘Bring ’em Back’ Sonics bat for Players Weekend, plus a Florida State one too.

Cal Raleigh has a ‘Bring ’em Back’ Sonics bat for Players Weekend, plus a Florida State one too. pic.twitter.com/OwxaLPWmwb

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) August 16, 2024

"Bring them back" is a popular refrain among Seattle sports fans who want to see the NBA bring a team back to Seattle. The Sonics left town (or were stolen, depending on how you ask) after the 2007-2008 season. They became the Oklahoma City Thunder at that point and have become one of the more successful franchises in the league. Though they've never won an NBA title as the Thunder, they did have James Harden, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook all at the beginning of their careers. Durant and Westbrook also achieved great success and several All-Star berths with OKC. Durant did spend one year in Seattle, the final year before the team moved.

As NBA expansion talks ramps up, Seattle is always mentioned as a possible landing spot for a new team. When it happens, Seattle fans will be ready to embrace them with open arms.

But until then, people like Cal Raleigh are out here doing the job of reminding people about the Sonics importance to the city - and region.

The Mariners will be back in action on Saturday morning when they play the Pirates at 10:05 a.m. PT.

RELATED SEATTLE MARINERS CONTENT:

NEW PODCAST IS OUT: The latest episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast is out as Brady Farkas talks about the M's getting swept by the Tigers, why this is all so frustrating and much more. Furthermore, we talk about the Julio Rodriguez-ankle issue, Colt Emerson's big day, prospect rankings and the M's potentially big financial blow. Furthermore, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney joins the show to talk about the M's on "Sunday Night Baseball." CLICK HERE:

RUNNIN' D-MO: Dylan Moore made some personal history as well this week, recording his 22nd stolen base of the season. CLICK HERE:

GOOD FOR MIGGY! Miguel Batista, who pitched three seasons for the Mariners, reached an incredible personal accomplishment this week. CLICK HERE:

Follow Inside the Mariners on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE: