Cal Raleigh Breaks Mariners Home-Run Mark in Houston Win

The Seattle Mariners just watched catcher Cal Raleigh make franchise history in a wild win over the Houston Astros. In a season where he’s already redefined what’s possible for power-hitting catchers and switch-hitters, Raleigh smashed a record-breaking home run that puts him right up there with club legend Ken Griffey Jr..

He’s even creeping closer to Aaron Judge’s single-season American League homer record. With the postseason in sight, Raleigh’s heroics couldn’t have come at a more perfect time for a Mariners team that’s desperate for October baseball.

Cal Raleigh Passes Ken Griffey Jr. for Franchise Home Run Supremacy

For years, Ken Griffey Jr. stood alone as the Mariners’ king of power, hitting 56 home runs in both 1997 and 1998. This year, Cal Raleigh didn’t just match Griffey—he surpassed him with one huge swing.

He hit the milestone blast in the third inning off Houston’s Framber Valdez on an 0-2 count. Most hitters just try to survive in that spot, but Raleigh sent a rocket over the right-centerfield wall, locking in his place in franchise lore.

A Historic Season for Catchers and Switch-Hitters

Breaking Griffey’s record is just one piece of Raleigh’s wild season. He’s already set Major League Baseball single-season home run records for catchers and switch-hitters, which is honestly kind of mind-blowing.

He’s handling the grind of catching while still crushing at the plate—something you almost never see these days.

Some of his biggest 2024 milestones:

• Breaking the Mariners’ all-time single-season home run record.
• Setting the single-season MLB home run record for catchers.
• Breaking the single-season MLB home run record for switch-hitters.
• Leading Major League Baseball in home runs overall.

Mariners Tighten Grip on the AL West

Raleigh’s power didn’t just make headlines—it gave the Mariners a real boost in their playoff chase. Seattle’s 8-6 victory over Houston bumped their lead in the American League West to two games.

For a team that’s only made the playoffs once since 2001, the pressure right now is off the charts.

Playoff Atmosphere in September

Every game feels like October already, and Raleigh’s clutch moments are waking up a fan base that’s been waiting way too long. He’s not just swinging a hot bat—he’s stepping up as a leader and giving the team a real postseason vibe.

Those home runs are coming in big spots and against tough pitchers. That says a lot about his readiness for playoff baseball, doesn’t it?

Chasing Aaron Judge’s AL Record

The Mariners have their eyes on the division, but there’s another story brewing: Raleigh’s chase of Aaron Judge’s American League home run record of 62, set in 2022. With his current pace and the way he can go deep from both sides, it’s not crazy to think he could make a run at it.

What It Would Mean for MLB History

If Raleigh keeps this up, he could become the first catcher to really challenge that record. That would totally change what people expect from a switch-hitting catcher.

It’d take his season from memorable to legendary, and maybe even put him alongside the all-time great home run hitters. Who would’ve guessed we’d be talking about this in Seattle?

Final Thoughts

The Mariners’ magical run has a spark. Cal Raleigh, right in the thick of it, is powering through a season that feels once-in-a-generation.

His record-breaking home run against the Astros? That wasn’t just a personal milestone. It marked a real shift in Seattle’s push for the division and maybe something bigger.

With every swing, Raleigh isn’t just chasing history—he’s kind of bending it, isn’t he?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Raleigh sets homer mark for Mariners in MLB win at Houston