Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Sets New Home Run Record

In a thrilling game at Wrigley Field, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh achieved a remarkable feat by breaking Johnny Bench’s record for most home runs hit by a catcher before the All-Star break. This milestone was reached during the Mariners’ 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

At just 28 years old, Raleigh hit his 28th and 29th home runs of the season, surpassing Bench’s long-standing record set in 1970. His first home run came right in the first inning against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, as he connected with a fastball that soared over the left-center field wall, putting the Mariners ahead 1-0.

With that first homer, Raleigh matched Bench’s record but remained tied for six innings. It wasn’t until the seventh inning that he hit another, sending a fastball from Cubs reliever Caleb Tielver down the line, giving the Mariners a 6-4 advantage and securing his place in history.

“It’s truly special to be mentioned in the same breath as such a legend,” Raleigh commented after the game.

Raleigh, now leading Major League Baseball with 29 home runs this season, has already recorded six multi-home run games. What’s particularly noteworthy is that he managed to break the record in just 73 games, whereas Bench took 87 games to reach his total, giving Raleigh a significant edge with 22 games to spare before the All-Star break.

Currently boasting a batting average of .273, Raleigh’s performance is drawing considerable attention not just for the records, but also for being a driving force behind the Mariners’ season, which stands at 38-36. They are scheduled to face the Cubs again on Saturday at 2:20 PM.