A Night Seattle Will Never Forget
(September 17, 2025) If you thought baseball history was reserved for the names Mantle, Griffey, and Ruth – think again. Cal Raleigh, Seattle’s “Big Dumper,” just carved his way into that conversation with two massive swings in Kansas City. His 55th and 56th bombs of this year didn’t just win the Mariners another game; they re-wrote the switch-hitter record book and also tied Griffey’s single-season franchise mark. And he did it while catching, a position that already demands toughness on every pitch.
Breaking Records with Every Swing
Raleigh’s two blasts Thursday night weren’t cheap. One bent just inside the foul pole at 415 feet, and the next was a no-doubt shot into Kauffman’s brick batter’s eye. That gave him:
- Most HR in a season by a switch-hitter (56, passing Mantle).
- Tied Mariners franchise record with Griffey’s 56.
- 45 homers as a catcher – an MLB record that keeps stretching.
- 10 multi-homer games in 2025, tops in the league.
Seattle’s backstop is grinding behind the plate and still producing at MVP levels. As teammate Dominic Canzone put it: “Once-in-a-lifetime type player.”
Cal Raleigh vs. Baseball Legends
The company he’s keeping is absurd: Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr., Aaron Judge, and Babe Ruth. With 11 games left, Raleigh could pass Griffey outright and chase Judge’s 62-homer American League record. Only six players have ever hit 60 in a season – Barry Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Judge, Maris, Ruth. Raleigh could be next.
And let’s not forget the grit. On the same night, Raleigh took a 90+ mph slider to the throat, shook it off, and homered minutes later. Tough as nails, and historic in the same breath.
What This Means for the Mariners
Seattle’s win streak is at 10, they’re leading the AL West, and the postseason picture looks brighter than it has in decades. The Mariners haven’t just found their star – they’ve found their identity. Raleigh isn’t chasing stats; he’s chasing wins. And with October looming, Seattle fans can dream big.
Key Takeaways for Baseball Fans
Here’s what matters most about Raleigh’s run:
- Switch-hitter power is rare: Mantle’s mark stood for over 60 years.
- Catchers don’t do this: durability + offense = MVP-level rarity.
- Seattle’s time is now: momentum, records, and playoff push all collide.
- History is unfolding: if he gets to 60, you’ll be telling the story for decades.
Join the Raleigh Room Conversation
Cal Raleigh’s 2025 season is baseball history in real-time. Will he pass Griffey? Will he chase 60? Mariners fans and baseball lovers everywhere have a front-row seat to greatness.
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