There’s something about a night at the ballpark that tugs at the heart, especially when the Mariners are on a hot streak and Seattle is buzzing like it is now.

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the way stranger’s high-five like old friends. It all feels bigger this season, because it is! And on one unforgettable night, it wasn’t just one moment that had fans talking, but a whole chain of them.

First came the thunderous swing as Cal Raleigh launched his 60th home run of the year, a blast that sent the stadium into a frenzy. Then came the scramble in the stands, when the ball ricocheted through a sea of hands before landing with Mariners’ fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll. Next was the unexpected gesture as Glenn turned and handed that prized baseball to 12-year-old Marcus Ruelos. And finally, the quiet decision that made the night even more unforgettable: Marcus giving that ball right back to Cal, choosing generosity over a collector’s treasure.

According to KING 5, who originally shared the story, sports memorabilia experts estimate the ball could have sold for up to $100,000. Marcus most likely had no idea about its price tag in the moment. When I asked him if knowing that would have changed his decision, he didn’t hesitate.

“No,” he said. “Cal deserved it. It’s about loving others like Jesus does. Glenn’s kindness made me want to do something kind too, and I hope whoever hears this story will keep it going.”

Almost as quickly as Marcus received the prized ball, he gave it back to the M’s staff for Cal Raleigh to keep. In exchange, Marcus received a signed bat that he will treasure forever.

But he’s quick to turn the spotlight elsewhere. “Glenn deserves all the attention,” Marcus said, still amazed by the stranger’s generosity. “I just hope I can tell him that to his face soon.”

The next morning at St. Anthony School in Renton, the story had already spread. “Everyone was calling my name: ‘Hey Marcus! Hey Marcus!’ even the teachers,” Marcus laughed. Principal Daniel P. Mullen shared why the moment matters so much to the school:

“We’re proud of Marcus because his act of giving the ball back was genuinely selfless. He didn’t expect anything in return. His actions exemplify one of our core values: showing kindness to others. He could have kept the ball, but living out those values is a reward in itself and builds community. We’re thrilled to see him receive such well-deserved praise. It’s a life lesson he’ll always remember.”

Marcus’s dad, Galan Ruelos, couldn’t hide his pride. “You hope to raise your child to be humble and kind,” he said. “When they choose that on their own, it’s really something special. This is a night Marcus will remember forever.”

For Marcus, the signed bat isn’t the real prize. It’s the reminder that one simple act of kindness can spark another, from Glenn to Marcus to Cal and beyond. “I just want people to keep it going,” he said. “That’s what makes the world better, it’s all about loving each other.”

Since that night, Marcus and his dad have been navigating the sudden attention, speaking with media and hearing from friends and family who can’t stop sharing the story. The Mariners have invited them back to T-Mobile Park for Saturday’s game, an opportunity they’re grateful to accept.

Marcus hopes that this time he’ll get the chance to meet Cal in person. “This whole experience has been incredible, something I’ll never forget,” he said with a big smile. “Cal’s the GOAT, and if I get to meet him, I just want to tell him that and take a picture together to remember it forever.”

And now the rest of us are standing by, waiting for the next chapter—a reunion of Marcus, Glenn, and Cal all together that feels as inevitable as it is heartwarming.

Let’s do this, Seattle—go M’s!

Kate Neidigh is a writer for Seattle Refined, covering lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel, real estate, gift guides and feature stories. See more of her work on Instagram here.