Cal Raleigh Joins Elite Company with 60 Home Runs in Historic Season

SEATTLE, WA – Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners made history Wednesday by hitting his 60th home run of the season, becoming only the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to reach that milestone. Raleigh’s feat comes during a crucial stretch as the Mariners aim for postseason success.

Raleigh’s 60th home run was part of a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies, a game that also marked the clinching of the American League West title for Seattle, their first division win since 2001. With this achievement, Raleigh not only broke Salvador Perez’s record for most home runs in a season by a catcher but also surpassed Mickey Mantle’s record for most homers by a switch hitter.

“Sixty – I don’t know what to say,” Raleigh said shortly after the game, having celebrated the milestone with teammates in a champagne-filled clubhouse. Despite the joyous atmosphere, he remained focused on the team’s goals for the postseason.

His success this season is underscored by impressive statistics: Raleigh is leading the league with 121 RBIs, has an fWAR of 9.1, and is in contention for the American League Most Valuable Player award. The MVP race is particularly competitive, with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees being his main rival.

Raleigh’s journey to this historic point has been challenging, especially as he is a switch-hitter and plays the physically demanding position of catcher. This year, he has showcased remarkable endurance, appearing in all but three of Seattle’s games, and ranks high in defensive metrics.

“What he’s doing is extremely ridiculous,” said Sandy Alomar Jr., a six-time All-Star. “That many home runs as a catcher is hard to do. It’s historic.”

Raleigh’s teammates have praised him for his performance and leadership. “Cal is the best. I try to be like him!” exclaimed teammate Eugenio Suárez. His contributions have turned Raleigh into a fan-favorite and a key figure for the Mariners.

As the Mariners prepare for the postseason, Raleigh will look to further elevate his game. With four regular-season games remaining, the baseball world will closely watch to see if he can surpass Judge’s single-season AL record of 62 home runs.

“He deserves everything right now,” shortstop J.P. Crawford said. Raleigh’s journey through this historic season is still unfolding, and fans are eager to see what’s next.