Cal Raleigh Hits 55th, 56th Homers to Tie Mariners Record

On a wild Tuesday night in Kansas City, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh etched his name deeper into baseball lore. He hammered two massive home runs, breaking one record and tying another.

Teammate Dominic Canzone also put on a show with his own power surge. The Mariners kept their postseason hopes burning with their 10th straight win.

Raleigh’s 2024 season just keeps climbing, reaching territory usually reserved for the game’s all-time sluggers. Honestly, it feels like we’re just along for the ride as his story keeps unfolding.

Breaking Mickey Mantle‘s Iconic Switch-Hitting Record

In the sixth inning, Raleigh smashed his 55th home run of the year. That broke the legendary Mickey Mantle’s single-season record for a switch-hitter, set way back in 1961.

Mantle’s record lasted more than sixty years, outlasting countless power hitters and changes to the game. Raleigh’s mix of brute strength and a sharp eye at the plate finally toppled it.

The Significance of the Milestone

Mantle’s record was almost mythical for switch-hitters. Hitting with power from both sides isn’t just rare—it’s kind of absurd.

Raleigh’s homer put him in his own league among today’s players and linked him to one of baseball’s most iconic names. That’s not something you see every season.

Tying Ken Griffey Jr.‘s Mariners Franchise Record

Just an inning later, Raleigh unleashed another bomb into the Kansas City night. That was home run number 56, tying him with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners record from 1997 and 1998.

Getting mentioned with Griffey—the face of the Mariners for so many fans—feels surreal for a catcher. Not many people saw this coming.

A Season for the Ages

This season, Raleigh blew past Salvador Perez’s 2021 record for most home runs by a catcher (48). Now, he’s just six shy of Aaron Judge’s American League record of 62.

With 12 games to go, it’s not out of the question that he could break that mark, too. The suspense is building.

A Night of Offensive Fireworks

Raleigh wasn’t the only one making noise. Dominic Canzone had the night of his life, going 5-for-5 with three home runs.

Canzone’s bat helped the Mariners cruise to a 12-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. The two of them made sure this game won’t be forgotten in Seattle anytime soon.

The Mariners’ Winning Streak

Seattle’s win pushed their streak to 10 in a row. They’re clinging to a half-game lead over Houston in the AL West.

It really feels like the momentum is with Seattle right now. Everything’s clicking at just the right time.

More Than Just Home Runs

Earlier in the game, Raleigh took a foul ball to the neck. He shook it off, finished 3-for-5, and caught all nine innings.

Here’s what his season looks like so far:

• 20 career multi-homer games
• Five games with homers from both sides of the plate
• Three major single-season home run records broken or tied

Manager Dan Wilson’s Praises

Manager Dan Wilson couldn’t help but praise Raleigh’s humility. Despite the eye-popping numbers, Raleigh stays locked in on what the team needs.

Wilson pointed out that Raleigh’s leadership and selflessness have been just as important to the Mariners’ playoff run as his power. That kind of presence matters, maybe more than people realize.

Looking Ahead

With just under two weeks left in the regular season, the baseball world is watching closely. Raleigh isn’t just chasing Aaron Judge’s AL home run record; the Mariners are also fighting for a division title, something they haven’t managed in more than twenty years.

This season’s already packed with milestones. Cal Raleigh’s rise really shows how quickly greatness can pop up.

He broke a 63-year-old record that Mickey Mantle once held. Now he’s standing shoulder to shoulder with Ken Griffey Jr.—that’s no small thing for a switch-hitting slugger.

Games remain, and honestly, who knows what’s coming next? The final stretch could be the most thrilling part of this wild Mariners ride.

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Here is the source article for this story: Raleigh hits HRs No. 55, 56 to tie franchise mark