Cal Raleigh set a new record in his outstanding season by hitting his 40th home run of the year on Saturday night, during the Seattle Mariners’7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
The hit, which traveled 416 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 113.5 mph, broke the tie on the scoreboard and consolidated a key victory for Seattle in its fight for a place in the playoffs.
With this home run, Raleigh became the first Major League player to reach 40 home runs in 2025, even before the month of August began.
Which catchers have hit 40 home runs in MLB?
The designated hitter in that game joined an exclusive group, as only six other catchers in MLB history have achieved a 40-home run season:
- Johnny Bench
- Mike Piazza
- Roy Campanella
- Todd Hundley
- Javy Lopez
- Salvador Perez
- Cal Raleigh
Perez also holds the record for most home runs by a catcher in a season, with 48 in 2021, a mark that Raleigh could reach if he maintains his current pace.
Raleigh talks about his achievement with the Marines
Raleigh himself downplayed the achievement, focusing on the team’s victory:
It’s a cool record, and I’m very grateful. It’s definitely a special moment. I don’t want to downplay it, but I’m happy for the win tonight. I’ll look back someday and say it was a really good thing.
Additionally, the home run made him only the fifth player in Mariners history to reach the 40-home run mark in a season, joining such iconic names as Ken Griffey Jr, Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz and Jay Buhner.
Raleigh candidate for MVP
Despite a dip in his offensive production during July, hitting .162 with 11 hits in 18 games, although six were home runs, Raleigh has shown consistency throughout the year, something that manager Dan Wilson highlights:
What has impressed me most is his consistency. Even when teams start to pitch him more carefully, he has made the adjustments. That’s what has benefited us so much
His name is also starting to feature prominently in the conversation for the American League Most Valuable Player award, especially after the recent injury to Aaron Judge, the favorite for the award, who was placed on the disabled list with a right elbow strain
Who holds the record for most home runs with the Mariners?
In addition, Raleigh tied Ken Griffey Jr. (1998) for the most home runs in Mariners history in the first 105 games of a season and became only the second player in the 21st century to hit 40 home runs in that same span, along with Aaron Judge (2022).
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