Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh has etched his name into baseball history, delivering a record-setting performance on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics that confirmed his status as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the game today.
The 28-year-old catcher launched his 48th and 49th home runs of the season, breaking Salvador Perez’s single-season mark for the position. Perez, playing for the Kansas City Royals in 2021, had set the previous record with 48. Raleigh’s achievement not only cemented his dominance at the plate this year but also underscored his transformation from promising slugger to bona fide franchise cornerstone for the Mariners.
His two-homer outburst also made him the first catcher in history to reach 49 home runs in a season while continuing to build an MVP-caliber campaign. For Mariners fans, it was another unforgettable moment in what is becoming a landmark season.
A Historic Day at the Plate
Raleigh wasted no time against Athletics starter Jacob Lopez. Batting right-handed, he hammered a fastball down the middle in the first inning for a two-run blast that traveled an estimated 448 feet, the longest home run of his career from that side of the plate. That swing tied Perez’s record and set the stage for what was to come.
Just one inning later, Raleigh struck again. This time he punished a changeup from Lopez, driving it 412 feet over the wall. The back-to-back shots gave him 39 and 40 home runs as a catcher this season, with nine more coming in his role as a designated hitter. Perez, by comparison, tallied 15 of his 48 home runs as a DH in 2021, while 33 came behind the plate. Raleigh’s mark stands out as it was achieved while shouldering the daily demands of catching.
These blasts not only broke Perez’s record but also added another chapter to Raleigh’s breakout season. His second homer of the day was also his ninth multi-homer game of the year, a figure that surpassed Mickey Mantle’s eight such games as a switch-hitter in 1961. The only players with more are power legends, with the all-time record standing at 11 multi-homer games in one season.
Standing Among Legends
By joining an exclusive club of catchers who have hit at least 40 home runs in a season, Raleigh now stands alongside names enshrined in Cooperstown. Johnny Bench achieved the feat twice, while Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley, and Mike Piazza also accomplished the milestone. Bench, Campanella, and Piazza are all Hall of Famers, and Raleigh’s name among theirs signals just how extraordinary his season has been.
The path to this point has been a steady climb. After hitting 27 home runs in 2022, Raleigh followed up with 30 in 2023 and 34 in 2024. Each season has marked a step forward, but 2025 has elevated him into a new stratosphere. At his current pace, he could become the first American League catcher to lead the majors outright in home runs, an honor that would add even more significance to his historic season.
An All-Star Season to Remember
Raleigh’s success this year extends far beyond home runs. He was named to his first All-Star team and made national headlines in July by winning the All-Star Home Run Derby. Just four months after signing a six-year, $105 million contract extension with Seattle, Raleigh gave fans a show at the midseason classic, becoming the first switch-hitter and first catcher ever to win the Derby. His victory also made him just the second Mariners player to claim the crown, following in the footsteps of franchise legend Ken Griffey Jr., who won it three times.
The momentum from the Derby has carried over into the second half of the season, as Raleigh continues to deliver clutch power for a Mariners team chasing postseason success. With 31 games left in the regular season, he is within striking distance of Griffey’s franchise record of 56 home runs in a season. For Seattle fans, the idea of Raleigh surpassing one of Griffey’s marks—something few would have imagined possible—has added even more excitement to the playoff push.
More Than Just Power
Beyond the long ball, Raleigh has become a consistent run producer. His 49th home run gave him 104 RBIs this year, making him the first catcher with back-to-back 100-RBI seasons since Piazza accomplished the feat from 1996 to 2000. He is also the first American League catcher to do so since Yankees great Thurman Munson managed it from 1975 to 1977.
The numbers tell the story of a player who has transformed into one of the most valuable hitters in baseball, combining durability, power, and production in a way few at his position have ever matched. His ability to handle the grueling demands of catching while maintaining offensive dominance is what makes his achievement even more remarkable.
Mariners’ Folk Hero
Raleigh has become more than just a stat-sheet stuffer in Seattle; he has emerged as a folk hero. Known to fans by his nickname “Big Dumper,” his reputation for delivering in big moments has already made him a fan favorite. From his Home Run Derby victory to his relentless chase of franchise and MLB records, Raleigh embodies the Mariners’ resurgence in recent years.
With the playoffs approaching and Raleigh’s bat still scorching hot, the Mariners may have a historic run in store. His record-setting 49th home run is not only a personal milestone but also a symbol of a team and a city ready to dream big again.
