Faith | His grandson echoes Mariner Cal Raleigh’s talent and character

Hats off to the Superbowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. And now that we won I can officially look forward to the baseball season.

We can’t forget what an incredible season the Mariners had last year.

I kept informed on one of the greatest baseball playoff games of all time while simultaneously watching my grandson play ball. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in a 15-inning game advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

That same day, at exactly the same time, I also witnessed two additional baseball games, right here in the Tri-Cities.

My grandson played for the Tri-Cities Fall Ball 60’s League Sharks and had a double-header lined up for the very same evening. He has a great coach, amazing teammates, and I say a prayer every time my grandson is at the plate to hit the ball.

They are fun to watch as they learn how to play the great game of baseball. Unfortunately, they got blown out in their first game, but turned around to play another team in which they won in the last inning by scoring five runs, ending it 18-17.

My wife, and the rest of the parents in the stands, listened and watched the Mariners game on their smartphones, keeping the whole crowd updated while the kids played their double-header. We finally got home after my grandson’s triumphant win, and were just in time to watch the last two innings of the Mariners on television. Incredibly, they won 3-2 in the bottom of the 15th inning.

That night was a great night for both my grandson and Cal Raleigh. Cal played behind the plate for 15 innings as a catcher and had a great hitting night.

I think my grandson kept up his toughness category by playing catcher for the majority of both double-header games and right field, second base, and pitcher.

But, hey, who’s comparing?

If it weren’t for my grandson’s love of baseball, and being an avid Mariners’ fan – especially of Cal Raleigh, aka Big Dumper – I would have missed the opportunity to cheer on the Mariners and their big win.

My grandson is a switch-hitting primary catcher as well, so I was especially excited to see Cal Raleigh win the Home Run Derby before the All-Star game. How cool to see him bring out his younger brother to catch, and his dad to pitch to him to win the Derby.

We went on to watch the Mariners go on a 9-game winning streak in the last of the season to clench their spot in the playoffs – plus a bye in the first round after that!

My grandson made it to a game in Seattle over the summer to watch the Mariners – and his hero play. Not only his hero, but my grandson got the nickname Little Dumper for his similar skill-set and looks up to him greatly.

Cal Raleigh seems like a very down-to-earth and overall nice guy who has a generous, kind heart. He made a comment after leading the league in home runs--an astounding achievement considering he is a switch-hitting catcher – that he feels a little bit embarrassed to be mentioned with the likes of Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth.

I think he should have won the MVP award, but he had a great attitude about not winning it which to me says more about his character than anything else. It’s amazing to see what a positive impact a player like Cal Raleigh can be to our youth.

Thank you to the Mariners and Cal Raleigh for being such great role models for my grandson. I pray that you and your teammates, most importantly, have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord in order to live in happiness forever in his heavenly kingdom.

P.S. I hope there’s baseball in Heaven. Play Ball!

Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.