Cal Raleigh Channeling Legendary 2004 Red Sox In Mariners’ Playoff Run

Despite losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 13-4 on Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners still lead the ALCS 2-1, standing just two wins away from their first World Series appearance in franchise history.

This has already been a special postseason run for the Mariners, who recently earned their first playoff victory since 2001 and won a historic 15-inning marathon to advance to the ALCS. This is only the club’s sixth postseason appearance since the team was founded in 1977, so Seattle fans and players aren’t taking it for granted.

That includes star catcher Cal Raleigh, who grew up a Boston Red Sox fan and lived through their historic playoff runs in 2003 and 2004. After watching them end their 86-year championship drought in 2004, he knows how meaningful and potentially life-changing a title can be for a city and a fanbase.

“It kind of gives you that little extra gear, that little extra edge, as far as we’re doing this for something more than just ourselves or just this team. We’re doing it for fans and people here to remember something for a long time,” Raleigh said on Wednesday before Game 3 of the ALCS.

Raleigh still remembers watching iconic Red Sox playoff moments from over 20 years ago, including Aaron Boone’s walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS and Johnny Damon’s two home runs at Yankee Stadium in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. He also noted the long line of documentaries about the 2004 team, solidifying its place in baseball history.

While that legendary team had a profound effect on New England, the 28-year-old All-Star hopes he and his teammates can make some lasting memories for baseball fans in the Pacific Northwest. After nearly half a century of disappointment and heartbreak, they’ve waited long enough for a title.