BREAKING NEWS: Seattle Mariners’ slugger Cal Raleigh just made history by hitting his 48th and 49th home runs of the season, officially breaking the single-season record for catchers previously held by Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals since 2021.
Raleigh’s record-setting homers occurred earlier today against the Oakland Athletics, where he delivered two impressive two-run shots off A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez in the first and second innings. This marks Raleigh’s 40th home run as a catcher this year, alongside nine hits while serving as a designated hitter.
This achievement is monumental as Raleigh becomes only the fifth player in MLB history to hit at least 40 homers in a single season while primarily playing catcher, joining legends like Johnny Bench, Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley, and Mike Piazza.
In addition to his home run record, Raleigh’s powerful performance this season has resulted in 106 RBIs, making him the first catcher to achieve consecutive seasons with over 100 RBIs since Piazza between 1996 and 2000. He is also the first American League catcher to reach this milestone since Thurman Munson from 1975 to 1977.
Raleigh’s rise to prominence has been swift; after hitting 27 home runs in 2022 and 30 in 2023, he launched 34 homers last season. This year, at age 28, he made his All-Star debut and won the All-Star Home Run Derby, becoming the first catcher and switch-hitter to achieve this feat. He follows in the footsteps of Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr., a three-time winner.
Fans and players alike are buzzing with excitement over Raleigh’s achievements, which not only highlight his incredible talent but also set a new standard for catchers in Major League Baseball. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Raleigh to see how high he can elevate his record-breaking performance.
Stay tuned for more updates on Raleigh’s journey as he continues to rewrite the record books and inspire fans across the league.
