Former Pro Ballplayer From Enfield Has Connection To MLB Home Run Derby Winner

ENFIELD, CT — As eight of Major League Baseball's best young sluggers took the field Monday night at Truist Park in Atlanta for the annual home run derby, a former professional ballplayer from Enfield settled in front of his television and watched one of his favorite college teammates stand at center stage.

Brad Tweedlie, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1993 out of Western Carolina University and enjoyed a 7-year pro career, never played with any of the young guns swinging for the fences; in fact, when his playing days ended in 2000, two of the eight participants had not yet been born, and the oldest, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, was just six.

Tweedlie's interest was piqued by the appearance of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in the derby. The 235-pound switch-hitter entered the All-Star break with 38 home runs, just one shy of Barry Bonds' all-time record of 39 in 2001, when he wound up as the all-time single-season home run leader with 73.

Raleigh's pitcher for the derby was his dad, Todd, a former power-hitting catcher in his own right at Western Carolina. In 1991, as a senior, he batted .313 with 17 home runs and 78 runs batted in, leading the Catamounts to a 36-26 record. He later became head coach at his alma mater from 2000 through 2007, then helmed the Tennessee Volunteers baseball program from 2008 through 2011.

Tweedlie, who had recently graduated from Enfield High School, was a freshman pitcher on that 1991 squad, winning one game and saving another in 18 relief appearances. Raleigh's brother Matt was a junior third baseman that season, and eventually played pro ball for 10 seasons, including stints in the Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins' organizations.

"Todd and his brother Matt were two of my favorite teammates ever," Tweedlie told Patch Tuesday morning. "Great players and better people."

Monday's big event was a true family affair for the Raleighs, as Cal's younger brother Matt Jr. was his dad's catcher. When the slugger affectionately known by his teammates as "Big Dumper" defeated Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays in the finals, he became the first catcher and first switch-hitter to win the competition outright. He also became the first Mariner to claim the title since 1999, when Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. won it for the third time.

Tweedlie said, "To see him out there throwing BP to his kid in derby was awesome, and to win it is unreal. I couldn't be happier for him and his family. Truly an amazing moment."