Cal Raleigh joins Mickey Mantle with historic 50th home run

In Seattle, United States, on Monday, August 25, 2025, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners achieved a remarkable milestone by hitting his 50th home run of the season during a game against the San Diego Padres. This impressive feat not only extends his major league record for home runs by a catcher but also places him in an exclusive club alongside New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle as the second switch-hitter to accomplish hitting 50 home runs in a single season. Raleigh's home run came in the first inning, launching a 3-2 fastball from Padres pitcher JP Sears a staggering 419 feet into the left field's second deck, providing the Mariners with a quick 1-0 lead in the match. Raleigh's record-breaking performance is significant in the context of Major League Baseball history. He became only the eighth player to reach the half-century home run mark before the end of August. Prior to this, the record for the most home runs hit by a catcher in a single season was held by Salvador Perez, who hit 48 homers in 2021. Raleigh's achievement is particularly noteworthy as he is only the second player in Mariners history to reach this milestone, with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. being the first, hitting 56 homers in both 1997 and 1998. The 28-year-old Raleigh has displayed remarkable consistency and power this season, with 30 of his home runs coming from the left side of the plate and 20 from the right. In addition to his home runs, he has also contributed significantly in other offensive categories, boasting 107 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 129 games played this season. Raleigh's recent success includes hitting three home runs in his last two games, with two of those coming in a recent victory over the Oakland Athletics. Raleigh expressed his amazement at reaching the 50 home run threshold, describing the accomplishment as “kind of crazy – unheard of.” This milestone not only highlights Raleigh's impressive talents but also contributes to the ongoing legacy and evolution of baseball, where power hitters have increasingly emerged as central figures in the game. With the Mariners aiming to secure a playoff spot, Raleigh's performances will be pivotal as the season approaches its final stretch.