The electric atmosphere at T-Mobile Park on September 24, 2025, was already charged with anticipation as the Seattle Mariners closed in on a historic division title. Fans packed the stands, hoping to witness a moment that would etch itself into Mariners lore. But few could have predicted the heartwarming twist that would unfold during the eighth inning—a story that’s now captivating baseball fans far beyond the Pacific Northwest.
It all began when Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh, already a fan favorite and now a legitimate American League MVP contender, stepped up to the plate against Colorado Rockies reliever Angel Chivilli. With the crack of the bat, Raleigh launched his second home run of the night—a towering 389-foot shot that arced into the right-field stands. The stadium erupted. This wasn’t just any home run; it was Raleigh’s 60th of the season, making him the first Mariners player to ever reach that milestone and only the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to do so. The blast also helped Seattle secure its first division title since 2001, capping a 9-2 victory over Colorado and igniting playoff dreams across the city.
But the magic didn’t end on the field. As the historic ball ricocheted through the chaos in section 108, a scramble ensued—fans lunged, hands reached, and for a brief moment, the fate of a piece of baseball history hung in the balance. Emerging from the fray was Glenn Mutti-Driscoll, a 45-year-old licensed hydrogeologist and longtime Seattle resident, who was at the game with co-workers for a company outing. For about 15 seconds, Mutti-Driscoll held the prized ball, soaking in the moment and the cheers of those around him. "The whole thing was surreal," Mutti-Driscoll later told MLB.com. "It just was happening so fast, and like, standing there with it, and I was just looking down at a kid, and he deserves more than me. ... And I guess if it's helping bring whatever -- baseball's reputation [has] those sorts of feel-good stories."
The kid in question was 12-year-old Marcus Ruelos, a sixth-grader from Maple Valley, Washington, attending the game with his family. In a spontaneous act of generosity, Mutti-Driscoll handed the ball to Marcus—a gesture that would soon be celebrated across the baseball world. As the crowd erupted in applause, Marcus was moved to tears. "A genuine act of kindness, a true gentleman. Marcus was in tears. We were all in shock," Marcus’ father, Galan Ruelos, wrote on Facebook. The Mariners’ security team quickly escorted Marcus and his father to authenticate the ball, and soon after, the family was offered a trade: the historic ball in exchange for a bat signed by Cal Raleigh and an invitation to watch batting practice on the field. Marcus, still hugging the bat the next morning, was overjoyed—not for the value of the ball, but for the experience and the memory. "We have the future MVP, hopefully, and [Marcus] touched history, that's kind of more precious; he'll live with that forever," Galan Ruelos told local reporters.
Meanwhile, Mutti-Driscoll’s gesture did not go unnoticed. The Mariners, eager to thank the fan who had displayed such generosity, launched a search for him the following day. Mariners senior manager of communications Adam Gresch put out a plea on social media, asking anyone who knew "this incredible fan" to get in touch. It didn’t take long—Mutti-Driscoll and his family were soon located and invited back to T-Mobile Park on September 25 for a special pregame meet-and-greet with Cal Raleigh. There, Raleigh presented Glenn with a bat inscribed, "Glenn, thanks for being a good guy & nice catch!" and signed two baseballs for Mutti-Driscoll’s sons, Ethan and Aiden. The moment was immortalized in photos and shared widely by the team. "Before today’s game, Cal met up with the Mariners fan who caught No. 60 and handed it off to another young fan… You love to see it," the Mariners posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The story of Mutti-Driscoll’s act of kindness quickly spread, drawing comparisons to a less savory viral incident earlier in September, when a dispute over a Phillies home run ball at LoanDepot Park ended with raised voices and hard feelings. Fans and commentators across social media were quick to point out the stark contrast, praising Mutti-Driscoll for embodying the spirit of the game. "That’s the kind of play that never shows up on a box score but wins hearts forever. Class act by the fan & Cal," one user commented under the Mariners’ photos.
For Cal Raleigh, the milestone home run placed him in truly elite company. Only Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Aaron Judge have reached the 60-home run mark in a single season. With four games remaining, Raleigh is not just chasing history—he’s got a real shot at breaking Aaron Judge’s American League record of 62 home runs, set in 2022. The magnitude of the achievement wasn’t lost on anyone in the Mariners’ clubhouse. "Fans here deserve that," Mariners management remarked after clinching the division, acknowledging the two-decade wait since Seattle’s last AL West crown.
It’s worth noting the potential value of the ball Mutti-Driscoll gave away. Auction experts estimate that Raleigh’s 60th home run ball could fetch between $100,000 and $300,000—a six-figure sum that would tempt even the most ardent fans. Yet for Mutti-Driscoll, the decision to pass the ball to Marcus was instantaneous and, in his own words, "the right thing to do." As for Marcus, the experience became more than just a brush with sports history; it was a lesson in kindness and sportsmanship. "My son will forever be indebted to you and I hope sometime in his life he will repay a similar act of kindness to another kid in his lifetime. The lesson: Always be kind," Galan Ruelos wrote in a heartfelt post.
As the Mariners prepare for their first postseason in over two decades, the story of Cal Raleigh’s 60th home run and the fans who made it unforgettable has become a symbol of what makes baseball so special. The home run, the playoff berth, and the MVP chase are all headline-grabbing feats, but it’s the spontaneous acts of generosity and the connections forged in the stands that truly capture the heart of the sport.
With the playoff race heating up and Raleigh’s bat still red-hot, all eyes remain on T-Mobile Park. But no matter how the season ends, the memory of that night—the cheers, the tears, and the kindness—will live on in Mariners history. And who knows? With four games left, perhaps another chapter is yet to be written.
