Cal Raleigh Continues Historic Home Run Barrage for Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is on an absolute tear, mashing home runs at a record-setting pace that is etching his name into both franchise and Major League Baseball history books. His latest blast, a two-run shot on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins, wasn’t just key in the Mariners’ dominant 11-2 victory; it was another historic milestone in what has become a truly special season.
Latest Milestone: A Historic Home Run Streak
Raleigh’s 32nd home run of the season, an MLB-leading mark, came in the ninth inning off Twins reliever Joey Wentz. The ball left his bat at 100.6 mph and traveled 379 feet to left field. More significantly, this home run marked the fourth consecutive game in which Raleigh has gone deep, setting a new personal career best for the slugging catcher.
Even more impressive is the fact that this was Raleigh’s 10th home run in the month of June, giving him three consecutive months with double-digit homers. This extraordinary feat makes him the first player in Seattle Mariners franchise history and the first catcher in Major League Baseball history to achieve such a streak. Adding to his league dominance, Raleigh also currently leads all of MLB with 68 runs batted in (RBIs).
Weekend of History: Bench, Switch-Hitters, and 30 Homers
Raleigh’s record-breaking momentum wasn’t confined to Monday night. Just days prior, during a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, he set multiple significant benchmarks.
On Friday, June 20th, in a 9-4 Mariners win, Raleigh hit his 28th and 29th home runs of the season. His 29th homer shattered the long-standing record of 28 home runs hit by a catcher before the All-Star break, previously held by Hall of Famer Johnny Bench since 1970. Raleigh accomplished this in just 73 games, significantly faster than Bench, who needed 87. Reacting to being mentioned alongside a legend, Raleigh stated, “Any time you’re mentioned in even the same sentence with one of the best, if not the best ever to do it, is a special thing.”
The very next day, Raleigh reached 30 home runs with a solo shot off Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia. This historic blast made him the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in MLB history to reach the 30-homer mark before the All-Star break. Reaching 30 homers in just 75 games also made him one of the fastest players to hit that milestone in a season since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales in 2001.
Eyeing More History: Griffey, Bonds, and Single-Season Marks
With his torrid pace, Raleigh is now chasing even more iconic records before the Midsummer Classic. He needs just three more home runs to tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners record of 35 pre-All-Star break homers, with 19 games remaining. Pushing even further, he could potentially challenge Barry Bonds’ MLB record of 39 pre-All-Star break home runs set in 2003.
Looking at the full season, Raleigh’s current pace projects him for around 68 home runs. This puts him on track to potentially surpass Aaron Judge’s American League record of 62 (2022), Salvador Perez’s MLB catcher record of 48 (2021), and Bench’s 1970 total of 45.
All-Star Dominance and Team Impact
Raleigh’s historic performance hasn’t gone unnoticed by the fans. In the latest All-Star voting update, he holds a massive lead among American League catchers, receiving over 1.9 million votes – more than double his closest competitor. Impressively, only New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has garnered more votes than Raleigh across the entire American League. If the voting holds, Raleigh is set to be the first Mariners player to start an All-Star Game since Nelson Cruz in 2015.
While Raleigh shines in the voting, the picture is less bright for other Mariners, highlighting his singular dominance this season. Despite strong performances, players like Julio Rodríguez rank seventh among AL outfielders, and J.P. Crawford, who boasts elite offensive metrics like the third-highest OBP (.407) in the AL, is currently eighth among shortstops, a position many consider him a “real snub.”
Beyond the individual accolades, Raleigh has become a cornerstone for the Mariners. His power and leadership are vital for the team’s offense and their push for a postseason berth. His rare combination of elite offense and solid defense makes him a true dual-threat catcher and one of the most valuable players in baseball this season.
Cal Raleigh isn’t just having a career year; he’s redefining what’s possible for a catcher and writing a captivating new chapter in baseball history, game by game.