In a thrilling matchup with the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh made a significant mark in MLB history by hitting his 30th home run of the season in the ninth inning. This impressive feat came in a 10-7 loss to the Cubs on a Saturday afternoon. The day before, Raleigh had already showcased his power by hitting his 28th and 29th homers, surpassing the legendary Johnny Bench for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break. Not only that, but Raleigh also set a new record for the most home runs before the break by a switch hitter.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell recognized Raleigh's achievement, acknowledging the rarity and skill required to hit 30 home runs in a season before reaching the halfway point. Raleigh's stellar performance has captivated the baseball world, as only eight other players have achieved this milestone in their first 75 games of a season, with the likes of Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez among them.
Throughout the season, Raleigh has transformed from a very good catcher into one of the best in the game. While Aaron Judge remains a strong contender for the AL MVP title, Raleigh's standout performance cannot be overlooked. He ranks second only to Judge in WAR cWins Above Replacementc and wRC+ cWeighted Runs Created Plusc according to FanGraphs. At just the end of June, Raleigh is on pace to deliver one of the most remarkable seasons for a catcher in history.
Surpassing stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in home runs, Raleigh's consistency is exemplified by hitting 30-plus home runs in three consecutive seasons, including 27 in his first full season in 2022. His outstanding performance on the field is reflected in fan support, as he leads all American League catchers in All-Star voting by a large margin.
The Seattle Mariners' rising star has also broken records with ease, surpassing Johnny Bench's 1970 milestone with his 28th and 29th home runs in a single game against the Chicago Cubs. Raleigh's powerful drive in the seventh inning, propelling Seattle to victory, marked his fifth go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later, the most in MLB this season.
Reaching 29 homers in just 73 games, Raleigh exceeded Bench's mark set in 87 games, leaving him with 22 games to spare before the All-Star break. Reflecting on his achievement, Raleigh humbly expressed gratitude for being mentioned alongside a legend like Bench and acknowledged the special nature of the milestone in his career.
Notably, Barry Bonds holds the all-time record for home runs before the All-Star break with 39 in 2001. Raleigh's offensive prowess was further highlighted by hitting his first homer of the game in the first inning, followed by a flurry of hits that included his sixth multihomer game of the season.
With three hits in the game against Chicago, Raleigh tied the record for the second-most multihomer games by a catcher in a season, joining the ranks of greats like Mike Piazza and Javy Lopez. His season total of 63 RBIs underscores his impact as a key offensive player for the Mariners. On the same day, Seattle's Mitch Garver also made waves by hitting two homers and driving in five runs as a designated hitter.
Raleigh's record-breaking performance not only solidified his position as one of the elite catchers in the league but also showcased his ability to dominate games with his power and consistency. As he continues on his historic trajectory, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate his future accomplishments on the diamond.
