SEATTLE (AP) — On paper, the move made plenty of sense.
The Cincinnati Reds trailed the Seattle Mariners 3-0 in the seventh inning and were on the verge of watching their deficit grow. The Mariners had runners at second and third, so Reds manager Terry Francona ordered lefty Caleb Ferguson to intentionally walk Dominic Canzone to load the bases.
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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh lifts the trident to celebrate a win over the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, right, greets third base coach Carlos Cardoza (57) as he jogs the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh jogs the bases after hitting a grand slam as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Arroyo (2) looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
That brought up Cal Raleigh, last year’s AL MVP runner-up. The slumping catcher is hitting just .163 this season, but he pounced on the first pitch and turned on a hanging breaking ball, sending it 408 feet into the left-field bleachers to break open the game in an 8-0 victory.
Francona stood by his decision, and said he would make the same one again every time.
“I know what Raleigh’s hitting and, he still worries me,” the veteran skipper said with a laugh. “But, I thought that was our best chance to have them not score. We could play the infield double-play depth. And, the worst possible outcome happened.”
Raleigh, meanwhile, was surprised to see Canzone intentionally walked. But, to Francona’s point, Raleigh has struggled mightily in 2026.
A year removed from hitting 60 home runs, Raleigh has only 10, including what was his sixth career grand slam. He entered Monday with just 17 extra-base hits. The left-handed-hitting Canzone, meanwhile, has a .993 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season, albeit across only 24 at-bats.
Raleigh went 0 for 10 in the Mariners’ first series after the All-Star break, but felt confident in his process going into Monday night. To have his efforts culminate with such a big swing wasn’t lost on Raleigh, who appreciated his teammates’ raucous celebration.
“It means a lot,” Raleigh said. “I feel like this group’s in a good spot now. … They’ve been very good, very positive and lots of energy in the dugout, and you can feel it. I feel really good about where we’re heading.”
Raleigh admitted it’s been a frustrating season not just for him, but the rest of the Mariners, too. Seattle entered 2026 with lofty expectations after one of the best years in franchise history, when the Mariners lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games in the American League Championship Series.
Despite hovering around .500 all season, Seattle (51-50) moved a half-game ahead of Texas (50-50) atop the AL West. If the Mariners are to build upon their slim lead in the division, having Raleigh more closely resemble his 2025 form would go a long way.
But even after driving in five runs in the Mariners’ third straight victory, Raleigh was in no mood to bask in his glory. Rather, he was most interested in moving forward, and building upon the team’s latest string of success.
“Sometimes (you) can start to feel sorry for yourself or get a little frustrated,” he said. “But, understanding that there’s still a lot of season left, and we’re still in the hunt of it, and we still have a job to do.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh lifts the trident to celebrate a win over the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, right, greets third base coach Carlos Cardoza (57) as he jogs the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh jogs the bases after hitting a grand slam as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Arroyo (2) looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 21, 2026--
USAA today announced a partnership with Alamo Trust, Inc. in support of the Alamo Plan, a redevelopment and preservation effort to restore the historic 1836 battlefield and surrounding area in downtown San Antonio. As part of this initiative, USAA is proudly sponsoring the revitalization of the Paseo del Alamo, the vital pedestrian corridor connecting the San Antonio River Walk and Alamo Plaza. Linking the state's two most visited destinations, the partnership reflects USAA’s deep roots in San Antonio and its dedication to honoring the military community that defines the city.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721466708/en/
Rather than just a physical enhancement, the partnership is driven by a shared mission to tell the story of the U.S. military in San Antonio. As a central feature of USAA's sponsorship of the Paseo del Alamo, the corridor will showcase a new public mural commissioned by a local artist. The artwork will celebrate San Antonio’s identity as Military City USA, ensuring that the legacy of service and sacrifice remains a visible, daily part of the community's civic life.
The Alamo shares a rich and deeply connected history with the U.S. military. From 1845 through 1877, the U.S. Army called the Alamo home, utilizing the Church and its grounds as a quartermaster depot. During that era, the Army added a roof to the Church that featured its iconic parapet arch—a shape that is now recognized across the world as the definitive symbol of the Alamo. The Army's time at the historic site paved the way for San Antonio to become modern-day Military City USA. Today, the Alamo is honored to continue its military partnerships, which include spotlighting each branch's distinguished contributions during the annual Fiesta Military Days.
“San Antonio is our hometown, and we owe so much of our history to the military community that built this city,” said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA. “This partnership is about more than protecting a historic site. It’s about telling the story of the men and women who have served and ensuring this city remains a vibrant, thriving place for future generations to connect with that legacy.”
“Preserving the Shrine of Texas Liberty is a profound privilege, as every improvement we make honors the brave individuals who gave their all for our state," said Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham. "We are committed to safeguarding this historic site so its legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
“The Alamo is a lasting symbol of bravery, and we are thrilled to work alongside USAA to bring that spirit to life for our visitors,” said Alamo Trust, Inc., President and CEO Hope Andrade, who is a former Texas Secretary of State. “Together, we are creating a welcoming space that truly reflects the heart and soul of Military City USA.”
As part of the broader revitalization effort, the partnership will also establish a dedicated military lounge on-site. The space will provide service members and veterans visiting the Alamo with a quiet place to rest, connect and access valuable financial education resources.
Founded in San Antonio in 1922 by 25 Army officers, USAA has served the military community for more than a century. Today, the company employs approximately 16,000 people in San Antonio—nearly half of its workforce—generating significant economic impact and reinforcing its commitment to the region's growth and prosperity.
Additional details about the commissioned mural and the future military lounge will be shared as the project progresses.
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves more than 14.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and four overseas locations and employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Each year, USAA supports national and local nonprofits serving military families and communities. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or X (@usaa), or visit usaa.com.
About Alamo Trust, Inc.
Alamo Trust, Inc. (ATI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that oversees the daily operations at the Alamo and the implementation of the Alamo Plan. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo stands as the Shrine of Texas Liberty. More than 1.6 million visitors travel to the site each year, making it the #1 most visited destination in the State of Texas. The 300-year history of the Alamo is world-renowned and represents the core of Texas’ identity today. In 1960, the Alamo was designated a United States National Historic Landmark, and in 2015, it became part of the Lone Star State's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness living history, experience authentic artifacts, and explore an iconic landmark that shaped the country. Visit theAlamo.org.
The Alamo shares a rich and deeply connected history with the U.S. military. From 1845 through 1877, the U.S. Army called the Alamo home, utilizing the Church and its grounds as a quartermaster depot. During that era, the Army added a roof to the Church that featured its iconic parapet arch—a shape that is now recognized across the world as the definitive symbol of the Alamo. The Army's time at the historic site paved the way for San Antonio to become modern-day Military City USA.
