Cal Raleigh added his name to an elite list in Major League Baseball on Wednesday night by becoming just the seventh player in history to achieve the milestone of hitting 60 home runs in a single season. The Seattle Mariners’ switch-hitting catcher accomplished this feat with two solo home runs in a game against the Colorado Rockies.
Raleigh, visibly astonished by his accomplishment, expressed his disbelief, stating, “It’s crazy. Sixty is — I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know if I was going to hit 60 in my life. Just tonight, what a way to do it.”
His exceptional performance included a powerful left-handed shot in the first inning off Tanner Gordon that landed in the top deck at T-Mobile Park, marking his 59th home run of the season. Later in the eighth inning, Raleigh hit his landmark 60th home run from the left side once more, this time off Angel Chivilli. Raleigh capped off his night with a two-run double in the second inning, finishing with four RBIs, boosting his season total to 125—the highest in the American League.
The Mariners’ 9-2 win over the Rockies not only showcased Raleigh’s unprecedented achievement but also secured Seattle their fourth AL West title, their first since 2001.
Raleigh’s achievement places him among baseball’s greats, joining Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Aaron Judge—other legends who have reached the 60 home run mark in a season. Raleigh’s 11 multi-home run games this year also tie him with Judge, Hank Greenberg, and Sosa for the MLB record.
With four more games in the regular season, Raleigh is positioned to challenge Judge’s American League record of 62 home runs in a season, set in 2022. His latest achievement comes just days after surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise record for home runs in a season and breaking Mickey Mantle’s record of 54 homers by a switch-hitter, which has stood since 1961. Additionally, Raleigh has set a new benchmark for catchers, topping the 48 home runs Salvador Perez hit in 2021.
Raleigh is currently leading the majors, sitting four home runs ahead of the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, with Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani trailing six behind. Mariners’ manager Dan Wilson highlighted the dual physical and mental demands of catching and praised Raleigh’s outstanding contributions both offensively and defensively, expressing strong support for his MVP candidacy.
The MLB community now looks forward to Raleigh’s potential in the upcoming games and the impact he could make on the all-time records. Raleigh’s remarkable season not only underscores his individual talent but also highlights the Mariners’ resurgence as a formidable force in the league.