Cal Raleigh Makes History: Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for Switch Hitters and Ties Mariners Franchise Milestone!

Just two days after tying Mickey Mantle for the most home runs in a single season by a switch hitter with 54, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners made history. He hit his 55th home run against the Kansas City Royals, setting a new record for switch hitters. This milestone surpasses a record that stood since 1961.

In that game, Raleigh blasted a 419-foot homer in the third inning off pitcher Michael Wacha. But he didn’t stop there. Just an inning later, he hit another home run, tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners’ single-season home run record at 56. With this achievement, Raleigh leads Major League Baseball (MLB) in home runs this season.

He has hit 35 homers from the left side and 21 from the right. Before surpassing Mantle’s record, he also beat Salvador Perez’s record of 48 home runs in a single season for catchers. If he hits one more homer, he will hold the Mariners’ single-season record.

An interesting fact: Raleigh is the first switch hitter to win the Home Run Derby. He achieved this in July, outlasting Junior Caminero at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

With 12 games remaining in the Mariners’ season, Raleigh needs six more homers to tie Aaron Judge’s record for most home runs in a single season by an American League player, which stands at 62.

This record-breaking performance showcases Raleigh’s remarkable talent and resilience. It also adds excitement to the ongoing baseball season, sparking conversations among fans and analysts.

For context, the game of baseball has seen its share of iconic records. Historically, players like Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth held extraordinary home run records that seemed unbreakable. Raleigh’s achievements raise the question: How many modern players will redefine the game as he does?

Fans are buzzing on social media about Raleigh’s statistics, comparing his power at the plate with legends from the past. It’s a thrilling time for Mariners fans as many eagerly watch to see how many more records he can set before the season ends.

For more details about baseball records and statistics, you can check out resources from Major League Baseball.



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Seattle Mariners, MLB