SEATTLE -- Cal Raleigh's emotions were all over the place on Friday afternoon throughout a press conference announcing his new contract extension, from tears of gratitude toward his family to pointed declaration of his belief in Mariners management fielding a long-term winner.
But perhaps the best of all were the loud laughs that erupted via virtually the entire Mariners¡¯ pitching staff seated in the back row, who sprinkled in a few questions during the 20-minute media session.
¡°Oh no,¡± Raleigh sheepishly said once he realized what was happening.
Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo each roasted Raleigh good-naturedly -- specifically about Raleigh¡¯s spending at their benefit, now that he¡¯s locked up a six-year, $105 million deal that includes a $20 million player vesting option for 2031.
¡°So last week we went to Mastro¡¯s to eat,¡± Miller said, referencing the steakhouse in Scottsdale, Ariz., roughly 25 miles from Seattle¡¯s Spring Training facility, ¡°and you let Logan [Gilbert] put his card down. I was wondering if you plan on reimbursing him?¡±
Raleigh had to point out: ¡°Well, the deal wasn¡¯t done yet.¡±
Then, after a brief pause of contemplation, the backstop added, ¡°No, I¡¯m not going to reimburse him. He still owes me a few for some dirtballs I¡¯ve had to block for him.¡±
A few questions later, Woo took the mic.
¡°In football, when a QB gets paid, he does a pretty good job of taking care of his O-linemen,¡± Woo said. ¡°O-linemen don¡¯t get a whole lot of credit. They¡¯re in the trenches with you every day. You put any thought towards that?¡±
Raleigh then retorted: ¡°Usually, it¡¯s the other way around. The pitchers are supposed to take care of the catchers,¡± though he added his intention to reward his guys at some point.
¡°I¡¯ve seen Rolexes. I¡¯ve seen cars. I¡¯m just putting it out there,¡± Woo said.
Adding to the humor was that Raleigh kept details of his negotiations with the Mariners completely mum -- even within his inner circle.
¡°I found out the same way everybody else found out,¡± Woo said in a separate interview. ¡°He was here [at the ballpark], of course, working out. Didn't tell anybody, and then it popped up on the TV.¡±
The hilarious back and forth was an encapsulation of Raleigh¡¯s impact on teammates -- especially pitchers -- and their respect, admiration and bond with a player who has grown into a team leader and a face of the franchise.
"At the end of the day, he's still like another one of the guys and still fun to be around away from the field, and still has a life away from the field," Woo said. "It's just that he's able to separate it. But when he is here, he gives everything he has. He gives everything he has to the guys around him and all that stuff. He's just somebody I think everybody really appreciates just to have.¡±
Added shortstop J.P. Crawford, another clubhouse leader: ¡°He cares a lot and he wants to win. And he's not afraid to speak his mind, which I love too, man. I think every team needs a guy like Cal. He's not afraid to say something that needs to be said, and it shows you what type of leader he is.¡±
Woo was roommates with his catcher last year, but Raleigh said that he¡¯ll probably buy property in Seattle now that he¡¯s here for the long haul. But the bond between catcher and pitcher -- an army of them, who were all on hand to celebrate with him Friday -- remains as strong as ever.