Cal Raleigh is determined to win the 2025 home run title for Seattle, despite the pressure from Shohei Ohtani. In this crazy race where every day they go over the fence, the Mariners’ All-Star now holds the record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season in MLB history. On Sunday, the Seattle sensation hit a pair of home runs to take his tally to 49 for the current campaign.
With this number, Cal Raleigh becomes the catcher with the most home runs in a season and surpassed the record of Salvador Perez in 2021 with the Kansas City Royals when he set the mark at 48. The historic feat happened at T-Mobile Park in the game against the Oakland Athletics. From the first inning, the Mariners catcher set out to get close to the record with a solo home run. But in his next at-bat, he again sent the ball into the stands and with it became the new catcher with the most home runs in MLB history.
Cal Raleigh’s enviable production with the Seattle Mariners
Prior to his historic at-bat in the bottom of the second inning, Raleigh had scored 85 runs in 128 games and hit 19 doubles, in addition to his 49 home runs and 106 RBIs. His batting average is .247/.353/.594 with a .947 OPS. Even his RBI ranked him first in the American League and second in the majors, behind Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber (109).
Raleigh is in the midst of what could be considered the best season by a catcher in MLB history. In addition to holding the league record, Raleigh won the American League Platinum Glove in the preseason, set the MLB record for most home runs by a catcher and a switch hitter before the All-Star Game and the Seattle franchise record for most home runs by a player before midseason.
Cal Raleigh pulls away from Shohei Ohtani
At noon on Sunday, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit his 45th home run. Cal Raleigh started the game with 47, but his feat on this day has allowed him to reach 49, four home runs difference with five weeks of the season remaining, which can be translated into around 30 games to play. And at the current rate, Cal Raleigh could add the MVP trophy to that list when all is said and done.
The next series for the Seattle Mariners will again be at home, this time against the San Diego Padres starting on Monday, August 25, where the California team’s pitching could make it difficult for them to add new home runs. However, motivation is at an all-time high and it is possible to think that Cal Raleigh could reach 50 home runs at home
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