A Moment of Baseball History: Cal Raleigh Breaks Mariners’ Home Run Record
In a remarkable display of power hitting, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh etched his name into baseball history on Saturday night. With a mighty swing against the Houston Astros, Raleigh launched his 57th home run of the season, breaking Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise record that had stood since 1997. The historic blast came in the third inning when Raleigh connected with a 95.5 mph sinker from left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, sending it soaring into the right-center field bullpen to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-0. As he rounded second base, Raleigh raised his arm in celebration, embracing the significance of the moment. The celebration continued as teammate J.P. Crawford handed him the team’s ceremonial trident, which Raleigh proudly raised skyward before entering the dugout to the cheers of teammates and fans alike.
This record-breaking season has been nothing short of extraordinary for Raleigh, who has established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters. Beyond surpassing Griffey’s hallowed Mariners mark, Raleigh has shattered other significant milestones along the way. He’s already surpassed Mickey Mantle’s major league record for home runs by a switch-hitter (54), which had remained untouched since 1961. Additionally, he has claimed the MLB record for home runs by a catcher in a single season, exceeding the 48 hit by Salvador Perez in 2021. What makes Raleigh’s accomplishment even more impressive is the company he’s keeping in baseball’s record books—names like Griffey and Mantle represent the very pinnacle of baseball greatness, and now Raleigh has carved out his own place alongside these legends.
Raleigh’s historic season has thrust him into the American League MVP conversation, where he finds himself in a compelling race with New York Yankees star Aaron Judge. While Raleigh currently holds the advantage in home runs and RBIs, Judge leads in several other key offensive categories, including on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), where he maintains approximately a 180-point lead. This fascinating duel between two of baseball’s most prolific power hitters has added an extra layer of intrigue to the final weeks of the regular season. Both players are showcasing the kind of exceptional talent that makes baseball fans appreciate the beauty and competitive nature of America’s pastime.
Judge himself is in the midst of another tremendous power-hitting campaign, having launched his 49th home run of the season on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. Though still trailing Raleigh in the home run chase, Judge has been gaining ground rapidly, hitting five home runs in a 10-game stretch. This recent power surge coincidentally began after Judge shook hands with former President Donald Trump during a September 11 visit to the Yankees’ clubhouse. The day after this meeting, Judge passed Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio on the franchise’s all-time home run list, leading some fans to playfully suggest that the presidential handshake had somehow sparked Judge’s hot streak. Such is the nature of baseball—a sport where superstitions, coincidences, and memorable moments often intertwine with the game’s statistical achievements.
The ongoing home run race between Raleigh and Judge exemplifies what makes baseball so captivating: individual excellence within a team sport, the pursuit of records that connect today’s players with the game’s rich history, and the daily drama that unfolds over a long season. For Raleigh, this record-breaking performance represents not just personal achievement but also his contribution to the Mariners’ competitive season. Seattle continues to fight for a playoff berth, and Raleigh’s power has been instrumental in keeping those hopes alive. His journey from being primarily known as a defensive catcher to becoming one of baseball’s most feared sluggers showcases the kind of player development and determination that resonates with fans.
As the 2024 MLB season enters its final stretch, baseball enthusiasts will continue to follow both Raleigh’s and Judge’s pursuits of further milestones. Raleigh has already secured his place in Mariners history by surpassing one of the franchise’s most beloved icons in Griffey Jr., while simultaneously establishing himself as the most prolific power-hitting catcher the game has ever seen. Whether or not he ultimately claims the AL MVP award, his 2024 campaign will be remembered as one of the most impressive power-hitting displays in recent baseball memory. For a sport that cherishes its records and history, Cal Raleigh has provided fans with a season worth celebrating—a reminder of baseball’s enduring capacity to produce new heroes and unforgettable moments that bridge generations of the game.
