Cal Raleigh Hits MLB-Leading 59th Home Run into Upper Deck

Seattle Mariners fans just watched something special. Cal Raleigh carved his name into Major League Baseball’s record books with a performance for the ages.

In a commanding 9-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, the 27-year-old catcher became only the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in one season. His two solo blasts not only got him to that elite mark, but also clinched the Mariners’ first American League West crown since 2001.

That’s a 23-year wait for divisional glory, finally over.

Raleigh’s Historic 60-Homer Season

Few players ever reach 60 home runs. For Raleigh, it’s been a pretty wild journey.

He launched his 59th homer in the first inning off Tanner Gordon, setting the tone early. Then, in the eighth, he sent another towering shot off Angel Chivilli — home run number 60.

That one sealed his place among baseball’s most prolific sluggers. Raleigh now leads the majors in home runs, four ahead of Kyle Schwarber and six in front of Shohei Ohtani.

He’s shown incredible consistency and power for a catcher, a position that’s already tough enough just handling the defense.

Single-Season Records Shattered

Raleigh’s bat has just torn through the record books. Here’s a quick look at some of the marks he broke:

• Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners single-season record of 56 home runs
• Mickey Mantle’s record for most home runs by a switch-hitter (54)
• Salvador Perez’s catcher record (48)

He’s also tied the single-season record in multi-homer games — 11 — sharing that with legends like Aaron Judge, Hank Greenberg, and Sammy Sosa.

Chasing Aaron Judge’s American League Record

With four games left in the regular season, Raleigh has a real shot at passing Aaron Judge’s AL mark of 62 home runs from 2022. That chase adds even more intrigue to his already extraordinary year.

Raleigh also leads the American League with 125 RBIs, which only strengthens his Most Valuable Player case. Not many catchers have ever combined this kind of offensive power with all the work behind the plate.

Manager’s Praise and MVP Momentum

Seattle manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh’s rare mix of offensive dominance and defensive stability. He called Raleigh’s production “unprecedented” for a catcher.

It’s not just about the numbers, though. Raleigh has been the emotional leader of a team that finally broke through for its first division title in two decades.

Mariners fans have embraced #BigDumper (yeah, that’s Raleigh’s nickname) for more than just his tape-measure shots. His grit and leadership have made a huge difference this season.

A Night That Defined a Season

For Seattle’s loyal fans, Raleigh’s milestone night was bigger than any personal achievement. It felt like a new era for Mariners baseball — one where October baseball and championship dreams are finally back on the table.

Just to put it in perspective, hitting 60 home runs in a season is something only an elite group of sluggers have ever done, from Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds. Doing it as a catcher? That’s something else entirely, considering all the demands of crouching behind the plate for hundreds of innings.

What Lies Ahead

The next few games will decide if Raleigh can top Judge’s AL record. He’s sitting right on the edge of something historic.

Even if he doesn’t reach 63, this 2024 season already feels legendary. Raleigh’s power at the plate has been a thrill to watch.

For Seattle, his dominance has sparked the whole team. Fans in the Pacific Northwest are buzzing again, and honestly, it’s been a while since baseball felt this electric out here.

Raleigh’s 60th home run helped clinch the division title. That swing will stick in Mariners history for a long time.

With the playoffs coming up, it’s hard not to wonder—just how far can Raleigh’s bat take Seattle? The city’s holding its breath, hoping for something special.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Raleigh hits upper deck with MLB-leading 59th HR