A Historic Night for the Seattle Mariners and Cal Raleigh
In a night filled with jubilation, the Seattle Mariners clinched the American League West title for the first time in 24 years with a commanding 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park. The celebration, however, was magnified by the historic performance of their star catcher, Cal Raleigh, who etched his name in baseball’s record books by hitting his 59th and 60th home runs of the season. With this remarkable achievement, Raleigh became just the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to reach the prestigious 60-homer mark in a single season, joining legendary sluggers Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Aaron Judge. The magnitude of this accomplishment was not lost on Raleigh himself, who humbly admitted after the game, “It’s crazy. Sixty is — I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know if I was going to hit 60 in my life. Just tonight, what a way to do it.”
The electric atmosphere at T-Mobile Park reached fever pitch early when Raleigh, batting from the left side of the plate, launched a mammoth 438-foot blast into the third deck off Rockies pitcher Tanner Gordon in the first inning. His teammate Julio Rodríguez aptly described the moment as “like a movie,” expressing gratitude for having such a special talent on their roster. The crowd’s excitement only intensified as the game progressed, culminating in the eighth inning when fans rose to their feet, chanting “MVP” as Raleigh connected on a 98-mph fastball from Angel Chivilli, sending it 389 feet into the right-field seats for his historic 60th home run. This second homer not only expanded the Mariners’ lead to 9-1 but also marked Raleigh’s 11th multi-homer game of the season, tying him with Aaron Judge, Hank Greenberg, and Sammy Sosa for the MLB record in that category.
What makes Raleigh’s achievement even more remarkable is the position he plays. Catchers are traditionally known more for their defensive contributions than their offensive prowess, making his power-hitting display all the more exceptional. Mariners manager Dan Wilson, a former major league catcher himself, emphasized this point when advocating for Raleigh’s MVP candidacy: “When you look at how he has done it and the position that he plays — I was telling somebody earlier today that when you come off the field, you’re mentally and physically exhausted. And for him to do what he’s done offensively and to do what he does behind the plate, I honestly don’t think we’ve seen this before. It’s been incredible. I think he deserves the MVP, no question.” Indeed, Raleigh’s historic season has put him in direct competition with Aaron Judge for the prestigious award, though Wilson believes there should be no debate.
With four games remaining in the regular season, Raleigh has a genuine opportunity to surpass Judge’s American League record of 62 home runs set just last year. This chase adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been a magical season for the Mariners. The team’s clinching of the AL West title ends a divisional championship drought dating back to 2001, marking a significant milestone for the franchise and its loyal fanbase. At 89-69, the Mariners have positioned themselves as serious contenders heading into the postseason, with their power-hitting catcher leading the charge both offensively and behind the plate.
The juxtaposition of team and individual success couldn’t be more perfect for Seattle. While clinching the division title represents the culmination of a season-long goal for the entire organization, Raleigh’s individual accomplishments provide the exclamation point to their collective achievement. His performance transcends mere statistics; it represents the embodiment of perseverance and excellence that the Mariners have strived for throughout this campaign. As the regular season winds down, the team will look to carry this momentum into the playoffs, where they hope to make an even deeper impact on baseball’s biggest stage.
As the Mariners prepare to close out their three-game series against the Rockies on Thursday, the baseball world continues to marvel at what they’ve witnessed. Cal Raleigh has not only established himself as one of the game’s premier power hitters but has done so while excelling at one of its most demanding positions. His historic season, coupled with the Mariners’ divisional triumph, has revitalized baseball in Seattle and provided fans with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether or not Raleigh captures the MVP award or breaks additional records in the season’s final days, his 2023 campaign will stand as a testament to what can be achieved through talent, determination, and the unwavering support of teammates and fans alike.
