The Seattle Mariners are going through a turbulent period of the season, but what worries fans most right now isn’t just their position in the standings. The focus is on Cal Raleigh – the star catcher who shook MLB with last year’s historic season – as he’s hit his worst run of form since becoming Seattle’s new icon.

And amidst the mounting pressure, the emotional words of Raleigh’s parents have left the Mariners silent.

According to several sources around the team, Cal Raleigh’s family has been heartbroken to see their son struggle over the past few weeks. Relatives of the 29-year-old catcher say Raleigh is under immense mental pressure after his explosive 2025 season – where he hit 60 home runs, became the runner-up in the AL MVP competition, and broke numerous catcher records in MLB history.

But baseball is cruel.

After entering the new season with huge expectations from fans and the media, Cal Raleigh unexpectedly suffered a serious decline in form. According to recent statistics, the Mariners star has gone through a hitless streak of 36 consecutive at-bats – one of the worst in MLB this season.

This alarming performance forced the Seattle coaching staff to make a major decision: for the first time in months, Raleigh was moved down in batting order to reduce pressure and help him regain his batting feel.

And for his parents, it was an incredibly difficult moment.

“As parents, it’s heartbreaking to see your child disappointed in themselves,” a source close to the Raleigh family shared. “Cal always had extremely high expectations for himself. He didn’t want to let anyone down.”

The Raleigh family is known as a true baseball family. Cal’s father – Todd Raleigh – was a college coach and had a huge influence on his son’s career. He was the one who pitched for Cal in the 2025 Home Run Derby, a moment that has become iconic for Mariners fans.

Ralewell’s mother has also been by his side throughout his MLB journey. She once drew attention with her humorous comments about Cal’s famous nickname, “Big Dumper,” although she admitted she “didn’t particularly like the name.”

But this time, things are different.

According to several local sources in Seattle, Raleigh’s parents were deeply moved to see their son repeatedly return to dugout looking dejected after strikeouts. Some relatives even said that Cal had almost isolated himself recently to focus on regaining his form.

“Cal always thinks of the team first,” a family acquaintance shared. “He feels like he’s dragging the whole team down.”

What hurts Mariners fans even more is that Raleigh wasn’t a player lacking effort. Conversely, coach Dan Wilson revealed that the Seattle catcher is working harder than anyone else on the team to rediscover his batting form.

“He’s still fighting every day,” Wilson said. “We’re seeing better at-bats, positive things, even though the results haven’t materialized yet.”

Ralewell himself admitted he’s going through a difficult period, primarily mentally rather than physically. The Mariners catcher said he’s trying to return to a simpler mindset instead of being obsessed with statistics and external expectations.

“I have very high expectations for myself,” Raleigh shared. “And obviously I haven’t achieved what I wanted.”

Many MLB experts believe that the pressure following the historic 2025 season is significantly impacting Cal Raleigh’s mental state. Being the new face of the Mariners, an MVP candidate, and Seattle’s greatest hope has inadvertently magnified each of his failures.

Some analysts also suggest that the World Baseball Classic earlier this year may have affected Raleigh’s mental state. Controversies surrounding Randy Arozarena and a packed schedule meant he had almost no time to rest before the new season.

Despite the growing criticism and disappointment, the Mariners community hasn’t turned its back on their star.

On social media, thousands of Seattle fans are sending messages of encouragement to Raleigh. Many recall the moment he hit his historic walk-off home run in 2022 to bring the Mariners back to the postseason after more than two decades of waiting. For them, Cal Raleigh is not just a player in decline – he is a symbol of the hope Seattle has been searching for for years.

“Even heroes fall,” one Mariners fan wrote. “The important thing is that we still believe Cal will get back up.”

Perhaps that’s what Raleigh’s parents are trying to tell their son right now.

Behind the shouts, the critical articles, and the immense pressure to achieve, there is always his family and an entire city that believe in him.

Because sometimes in baseball, the hardest thing isn’t facing the opposing pitcher.

It’s overcoming the pressure within your own mind.