Cal Raleigh is maintaining a phenomenal pace in launching home runs and achieving notable milestones.
The Seattle Mariners’ backstop delivered another impactful performance on Friday, crushing two home runs during the Mariners’ decisive 12-3 victory against the Detroit Tigers. These two blasts brought Raleigh’s season total to 37 and 38, with the second being a grand slam in the final inning.
The recent additions bring Raleigh incredibly close to matching a significant achievement: If Raleigh can hit one more home run this weekend, he’ll equal Barry Bonds’ record for the highest number of home runs (39) prior to the All-Star break. Bonds established this mark in 2001; however, his link to the period of performance-enhancing drugs in MLB history casts a shadow over many of his accomplishments.
Raleigh is experiencing a phenomenal season, already matching his previous career-best for home runs, and the season is only at its midpoint.
Adding to this, Raleigh is a rare example of a high-performing switch hitter in the league, leading to several unique achievements. Last month, the catcher became the first switch hitter to reach 30 home runs before the All-Star break.
The game on Friday was Raleigh’s eighth occasion this season with multiple home runs, tying him with Mickey Mantle (1961) for the most such games by a switch hitter in a single season. Raleigh has 68 games remaining this season to surpass Mantle’s record and possibly extend it.
Raleigh’s outstanding performances have been duly recognized: The catcher is set to participate in his inaugural All-Star Game and his first Home Run Derby the following week. However, he still has two more games against the Tigers to strive for Bonds’ record and potentially exceed it.
Looking ahead, Raleigh will be targeting the MLB home run crown. He currently has a lead over Aaron Judge, who is second with 34 home runs, by four; Shohei Ohtani follows with 32.
