Cal Raleigh Gifted Custom Gear to Rick Rizzs

The Mariners catcher presented the broadcaster with a unique tribute ahead of his upcoming retirement.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Baseball

Close-up of baseball catcher gear and a broadcast microphone on a wooden surface, rendered in an expressive, painterly sports illustration style. — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh presented longtime broadcaster Rick Rizzs with custom team gear at T-Mobile Park to honor his four-decade career. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh surprised longtime team broadcaster Rick Rizzs at T-Mobile Park with a custom chest protector. The piece features a photo collage from Rizzs' storied career and is inscribed with his signature catchphrase.

Why it matters

The organization is honoring Rizzs as he prepares to conclude his broadcasting tenure with the club at the end of the 2026 season. The gesture serves as a tribute to his four decades of service to the organization and the Seattle community.

Rick Rizzs has completed 41 seasons broadcasting for the Mariners, a tenure spanning more than four decades. The custom chest protector will be worn by Cal Raleigh during the upcoming weekend series before being gifted to Rizzs.

The players

Rick Rizzs

He is a long-standing broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners who has spent 41 seasons covering the team.

Cal Raleigh

He is a professional catcher currently playing for the Seattle Mariners.

The details

Cal Raleigh arrived at radio booth 3 at T-Mobile Park to personally present the box to Rizzs, revealing the custom-designed gear. The protector incorporates iconic imagery and the phrase 'Holy smokes', which is famously associated with the broadcaster.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026: A social media clip of the gift exchange was released.
This weekend: Cal Raleigh will wear the custom gear during the series against the Angels.
End of 2026 season: Rick Rizzs will retire from his position with the Mariners.

Season Trajectory

This tribute highlights the emotional tone of the Mariners' 2026 season as the franchise prepares for a significant change in its broadcasting booth. It reinforces the team's culture of honoring legacy personnel as they move toward the final games of the current campaign.

Fans attending the upcoming home games against the Angels can look for Cal Raleigh wearing the commemorative gear on the field. The gesture marks a notable moment in the final homestand of the 2026 season for Mariners followers.

The takeaway

Honoring long-tenured staff members remains a vital tradition for professional sports franchises as they navigate seasonal transitions. Fans can implement similar gestures of appreciation to build strong connections within their own local communities and workplaces.