Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners, continued his standout season on Friday night by hitting two home runs in a 12-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Raleigh’s performance added another historic milestone to his remarkable campaign, as he set a new American League record for home runs before the All-Star break.
Details of Raleigh’s Historic Night at the Plate
Raleigh’s first home run came in the top of the eighth inning, with the Mariners holding a narrow 4-3 lead. Facing pressure, he launched a deep fly ball to left-center field, marking his 37th homer of the season. But Raleigh was not finished making history.
In the ninth inning, with the bases loaded and Seattle leading 8-3, Raleigh connected on a 93-mph sinker low in the strike zone. The ball soared over the left-field bleachers for a grand slam, his 38th home run of the season, extending the Mariners’ lead to 12-3.
Breaking Records and Closing in on MLB Historical Marks
Raleigh’s 38th home run before the All-Star break surpassed the previous American League record of 37 set by Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles in 2013. This also puts Raleigh just one home run shy of tying the Major League Baseball pre-break record held by Barry Bonds, who hit 39 homers before the 2001 All-Star Game.
Bonds finished that season with a total of 73 home runs. With two games remaining before the break, Raleigh has a strong chance to match or even surpass Bonds’ record.
Significance of Raleigh’s Achievement and What’s Next
Raleigh’s historic home run pace not only highlights his personal excellence but also energizes the Mariners and their fans as the All-Star break approaches. As the team prepares to face the Tigers in the final games before the hiatus, all eyes will be on Raleigh to see if he can eclipse Bonds’ long-standing record before the All Stars gather in Atlanta.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Cal Raleigh the Big Dumper?
A. On the broadcast, Michael Kay explained that they called him “Big Dumper” due to the noticeable size of his backside.
Q. How much is Cal Raleigh paid?
A. JT Realmuto plays for the Phillies with a contract worth $115.5 million from 2021 to 2025. Cal Raleigh, from the Mariners, has a contract for $105 million from 2025 to 2030.
Q. Is Cal Raleigh any good?
A. Before this season, Raleigh was recognized as one of baseball’s top catchers and an often overlooked star. This year, he has stepped up his performance significantly. He achieved a batting line of .281/.386/.667 and led MLB with 69 RBIs, while starting all but two of the Mariners’ first 78 games.
Q. How much does Cal Raleigh make?
A. Because of the agreement, he is said to get a $10 million signing bonus. In 2025, his pay will decrease to $1 million. In 2026 and 2027, Raleigh will earn $11 million and $12 million, respectively.