Cal Raleigh reached a significant milestone during his outstanding season on Saturday night by hitting his 40th home run at Angel Stadium. This achievement makes him the seventh catcher in Major League Baseball history to hit 40 homers in a season. Raleigh, who already had 38 home runs by the All-Star break and won the Home Run Derby, noted that the 40th home run was especially meaningful because it broke a tie and helped lead the Seattle Mariners to a 7-2 win, crucial for their playoff pursuit.
Raleigh expressed gratitude for the milestone, saying it’s a special moment and that he is happy about securing the victory more than the number itself. He is the first player this season to reach 40 homers and did so well before August. The homer came on a 2-0 pitch from struggling Angel pitcher Jose Fermin, flew 416 feet with an exit speed of 113.5 mph, and shifted the game momentum firmly in favor of the Mariners.
Seattle manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh’s determination to keep pushing for more home runs because each one helps the team win. Though Raleigh served as the designated hitter in this game, he joins an elite group of catchers who have hit 40 homers in a season, including legends like Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza, Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley, and Salvador Perez.
Raleigh’s current pace puts him on track to challenge Perez’s record from 2021, likely averaging about one homer per week for the remainder of the season. He also becomes the fifth Mariner to reach 40 homers in a season, joining greats like Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, and Jay Buhner. Raleigh humbly acknowledged how honored he is to be part of such renowned company.
Additionally, Raleigh matched Griffey’s 1998 record for most homers in Seattle history within the first 105 games of the season, making him the eighth player in MLB history to hit 40 homers within the first 105 games. His timing is notable as it coincides with a brief absence of AL MVP favorite Aaron Judge due to injury, which could impact the MVP race.
Although Raleigh’s production cooled somewhat in July, batting .162 with six homers in 18 games, he bounced back with two hits and three RBIs in Saturday’s game. Manager Wilson noted that opponents have started pitching around Raleigh, prompting some adjustment, but praised his overall consistency this season as remarkable.
Fan Take: Cal Raleigh’s milestone is more than just a personal achievement—it signals the rising power of catchers in the game, traditionally a defense-first position. For baseball fans, Raleigh’s performance not only fuels the Mariners’ playoff hopes but also highlights a refreshing shift toward more dynamic, multi-talented players in pivotal roles, promising an exciting evolution for the sport.
