Cal Raleigh Makes History with Historic 2025 Season
Cal Raleigh, the standout catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has achieved an incredible milestone this season by hitting over 50 home runs. This is a remarkable feat, making him the first primary catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to accomplish this. Furthermore, Raleigh is the first player ever to hit a minimum of 20 home runs from both sides of the plate within the same season.
As of the latest game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Raleigh added his 51st home run to his tally. This solo shot came in the fourth inning and reduced the Rays’ lead to 2-1. The opportunity arose when Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen left a fastball in a favorable spot, allowing Raleigh to send it soaring into the right-field stands at Steinbrenner Field.
The 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary for Raleigh. His journey to this monumental achievement started with his first home run on March 31, marking the beginning of a power surge that has seen him hit in consecutive games multiple times. Raleigh has also recorded nine multi-homer games this year.
With each home run, he inches closer to breaking the American League record of 62 home runs set by the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge in 2022. Raleigh is also on the verge of surpassing Mickey Mantle’s record of 54 home runs by a switch-hitter, established back in 1961, as well as Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise record of 56 home runs, achieved in both 1997 and 1998.
As we track his remarkable path through the 2025 season, let’s take a closer look at some of Raleigh’s significant accomplishments this year.
March
- Home Runs Hit: 1
- On March 31, in just the fifth game of the season, Raleigh launched a 358-foot homer against the Detroit Tigers, marking a personal milestone shortly after signing a six-year, $105 million contract extension.
April
- Home Runs Hit: 9
- On April 11, he hit his third home run of the season. This blast set a franchise record for the most career home runs by a Mariners catcher, hitting the 96 mark.
May
- Home Runs Hit: 12
- May 2 saw Raleigh deliver his first grand slam as he crushed two homers and drove in five RBIs in a large victory over the Texas Rangers.
- By May 30, he made history again by becoming the first catcher to hit 20 home runs before the end of May.
June
- Home Runs Hit: 11
- On June 20, Raleigh continued his momentum, hitting his 29th home run at Wrigley Field which set the record for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break.
- Just one day later, he hit No. 30, becoming the first switch-hitter to reach that mark before the All-Star break.
July
- Home Runs Hit: 9
- By July 14, Raleigh was a star at the All-Star Game in Atlanta, having already hit 38 home runs. He won the Home Run Derby, making him the first catcher to do so, and the second Mariner to win the event after Ken Griffey Jr.
- On July 26, he hit his 40th home run, making him one of only seven catchers in MLB history to reach that milestone.
August
- Home Runs Hit: 8 (and counting)
- On August 15, Raleigh hit his 46th home run in a game against the New York Mets. This put him at the 100-RBI mark for the season, marking another significant achievement in consecutive seasons.
- Notably, on August 24, he broke the record for the most home runs hit by a catcher in a single season by hitting his 49th and 50th home runs in a game against the Athletics.
With every swing of the bat, Cal Raleigh continues to make history and redefine the role of a catcher in the modern game. His impressive performance this season not only showcases his skill but also inspires fans and aspiring athletes everywhere. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Raleigh as he aims even higher with hopes of breaking more records and solidifying his place in baseball history.
