Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh made history on Tuesday night, hitting his 55th and 56th home runs of the season in a 12-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. Raleigh’s two-homer night broke Mickey Mantle’s long-standing record for switch-hitters, which had stood since 1961, and tied Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners single-season home run mark set in 1997.
“It just doesn’t even seem real,” said Mariners designated hitter Dominic Canzone, who went 5-for-5 with three home runs in the game. “He does it every day, and he’s doing it behind the plate as well. A once-in-a-lifetime type of player.”
Raleigh showed remarkable toughness, taking a pitch from Mariners starter Logan Gilbert that bounced off the plate and struck his neck, leaving a visible welt. Despite the pain, he remained focused, hitting a double and finishing 3-for-5 overall.
Earlier this season, Raleigh had already broken the home run record for a catcher, surpassing Salvador Perez 48 homers in 2021. With 12 games left in the season, he is now three homers ahead of Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the MLB home run lead.
Raleigh’s milestone home runs came from both sides of the plate, marking the fifth time in his career he has homered as a switch-hitter in the same game. Mariners manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh’s humility and dedication, emphasizing that his drive comes from wanting to win with the team rather than personal records.
The Mariners are riding a 10-game winning streak, their longest since July 2022, maintaining a half-game lead in the American League West. Raleigh’s historic performance highlights not only his individual talent but also his significant contribution to the team’s playoff push.
For more MLB records and home run history, check Baseball-Reference and MLB.com.
