Cal Raleigh’s historic season continues, and his latest accomplishments have put him in the history books with the likes of Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth. Among many other MLB legends, Raleigh is having one of the best seasons a catcher has ever had in the majors.
The 28-year-old is one of the main reasons the Seattle Mariners are second in the American League West Division, only five games behind the Houston Astros.
Raleigh Has the Most Homers by a Switch-Hitter Before the All-Star Break
Having broken numerous records in recent days, Raleigh’s mark for the most home runs by a switch-hitter before the All-Star break is a record that no one probably will break anytime soon. Raleigh surpassed the likes of Mickey Mantle, Jose Ramirez, and Lance Berkman, as there’s still quite a bit of time before the first half of the season ends.
Most Home Runs,
Team’s First 75 Games Of An MLB Season:39-Bonds (2001)
34-Reggie (1969)
33-McGwire (1998)
32-Luis Gonzalez (2001)
32-Griffey Jr. (1994)
32-Ruth (1930)
31-Ruth (1928)
31-Ruth (1921)
30-Cal Raleigh (2025) 🔥🔥🔥
30-Sosa (1999)
30-Sosa (1998)
30-Maris (1961) pic.twitter.com/CJJzKm9Wef— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) June 21, 2025
“Any time you’re mentioned even in the same sentence as one of the best — if not the best — to ever do it is obviously a special, special thing,” Raleigh said. “So I’m just very grateful.”
On pace to hit 65 home runs this season, Raleigh joins a group of elite hitters for the most home runs in the first 75 games. At 30, he sits with Sammy Sosa and Roger Maris. Only six other players have hit more than 30 in the first 75 games, with Bonds’ 39 homers in 2001 leading the way.
Born in 1996, Raleigh wasn’t even alive for six of the 12 times someone has hit 30-plus homers in the first 75 games. Unlike anyone else, he continues to see the ball, with four home runs in his last four games. His slash line of XSLG, WOBA, XWOBA, and XWOBACON all place him in the top six percent of the league.
Salvador Perez set the mark for most home runs by a primary catcher with 48 back in 2021. While the record may only be a few years old, Raleigh is already well over halfway to that number. Mantle’s 54 homers in 1961 are the most by a switch-hitter in a season, another number Raleigh is projected to hit.
After finishing a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs, Raleigh and the Mariners have seven more games on the road to conclude a 10-game road stretch.
Having enjoyed June 19 as a day off, the team won’t have an off-day again until Monday, July 7. Fighting for first place in the division, this is a crucial 17-game stretch as Raleigh looks to remain hot and keep the team’s division championship aspirations alive.