Cal Raleigh’s Historic Home Runs Propel Mariners

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is making headlines as he enters the record books. In a recent game against the Kansas City Royals, he hit his 55th and 56th home runs of the season, contributing to a commanding 12-5 win at Kaufman Stadium. This achievement has allowed him to match the record set by the legendary Mickey Mantle for most home runs by a switch hitter in a single season.

At 28 years old, Raleigh has now tied with Mariners icon Ken Griffey Jr. for the highest number of home runs in a single season within the franchise’s history.

The All-Star catcher smashed his 55th home run batting left-handed, taking Royals pitcher Michael Wacha’s curveball and launching it deep into right field, giving the Mariners an early 4-0 lead. His second homer came from the right side, driving Daniel Lynch’s changeup over center field to extend the lead to 9-0.

Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Raleigh expressed humility and surprise, stating, “It’s really cool. I’m humbled by it. It’s crazy stuff I never thought would happen.” He highlighted his enjoyment playing with his teammates and his focus on approaching each game one pitch at a time.

As of now, Raleigh is a strong contender for the American League MVP awards, alongside Yankees star Aaron Judge. Currently, his stats reflect a batting average of .247, 118 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, along with those impressive 56 home runs.

Looking ahead, the Mariners hold a slim half-game lead in the American League West over the Houston Astros. They aim to preserve their position as they face the Royals again in the second game of a three-game series on Wednesday evening.