On Saturday in Seattle, Cal Raleigh made history by hitting his 44th home run of the season, breaking the Mariners‘ single-season home run record for a catcher during a 7-4 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 2025 All-Star’s powerful three-run homer came in the bottom of the third inning, extending Seattle’s lead to 5-1 and highlighting Raleigh’s standout performance this year.
Significance of Raleigh’s Home Run in MLB History
Raleigh’s 44 home runs this season are a major league-leading figure, along with his 96 RBIs, which also top the league this year. Of those home runs, 36 came while playing as a catcher, a mark that surpassed Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez’s American League record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season, set in 1999. Raleigh now holds sole possession of the third-most home runs in a season by a catcher in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB history, just behind Johnny Bench’s 45 and Salvador Perez’s 48.
Raleigh’s Season Performance and Accolades
In 115 games this season, Raleigh has not only hit 44 homers but also scored 77 runs and collected 16 doubles. His batting average stands at .248 with a .356 on-base percentage and a .590 slugging percentage, resulting in a .946 OPS. In addition to being named the starting catcher for the American League in the All-Star Game, Raleigh made history as the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby.
Context of the Game and Mariners’ Upcoming Schedule
The game against the Rays was emotionally charged as it followed a pregame ceremony honoring Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki, who had his No. 51 jersey retired. Suzuki, a 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, encouraged the team to “seize the moment,” a message clearly embraced by Raleigh and his teammates. The Mariners entered Sunday with a 65-53 record and aim to conclude the series with the Rays with another victory.
Legacy of Ichiro Suzuki and Team Milestones
The Mariners’ celebration of Ichiro Suzuki included tributes that highlight his incomparable impact on the franchise. Plans are underway to install a statue honoring Suzuki alongside other Mariners Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. outside T-Mobile Park in 2026. The team’s recent success, capped by Raleigh’s record-breaking performance, reflects a blend of honoring past legends while building new achievements.
Looking Ahead for the Mariners
With Cal Raleigh continuing to lead the league in home runs and RBIs, the Mariners remain a competitive force in the American League. As they finish their series against the Rays, the team‘s momentum and individual milestones suggest a promising path forward in the remainder of the season, keeping fans hopeful for more historic moments at T-Mobile Park.