Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit another major benchmark Sunday amid his historic 2025 MLB season.
Raleigh went yard in the first inning as Seattle beat the Los Angeles Angels 11-2. That’s his 54th home run this year, tying him with New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for the most by a switch hitter.
“You know, in today’s age it’s hard not to go on your phone and people are talking about it, texting you about it,” he told reporters after the game. “I’m trying to do my best to block that out. I’m glad that we have something bigger to work towards.”
Raleigh obviously didn’t watch Mantle play but recounted how his father would speak about the three-time MVP “like he was a god.”
“It’s kind of cool to think about that,” he said.
The 2025 All-Star has 12 games left to overtake Mantle. He’s also eight away from tying Yankees star Aaron Judge for the American League home run record (62), but that’s probably a little too much to ask.
The Mariners’ franchise record is far more attainable. Raleigh only needs three dingers to leapfrog Ken Griffey Jr., who had 56 in 1997 and 1998.
That’s having already broken the single-season mark for home runs by a full-time catcher.
For now, Raleigh’s focus is probably less on his individual production than on Seattle’s quest to win a first division title since 2001. The Mariners hold a one-game lead on the Houston Astros in first place.
Capturing an American League West crown would be the perfect capper for such a standout campaign.
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