Cal Raleigh breaks Ken Griffey Jr.'s home run record

In a thrilling moment for baseball fans, Seattle's Cal Raleigh achieved an outstanding milestone by hitting his 57th home run of the season against the Houston Astros on Saturday night, September 20, 2025. This remarkable achievement allowed Raleigh to surpass the long-standing franchise record for the Seattle Mariners set by Ken Griffey Jr., which had been in place since 1997. The milestone was reached in the third inning after the Mariners were leading 2-0 when Raleigh connected with a 95.5 mph sinker thrown by left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, sending the ball deep into the bullpen in right-center field and increasing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Mariners. The achievement not only put Raleigh in the spotlight but also served as a thrilling moment for the team and its supporters as they celebrated breaking a record held by one of the franchise’s legendary players. Raleigh’s journey this season has been impressive, as he has not only led the majors with his home runs but has also set records recognized across the league. He surpassed Mickey Mantle’s previous Major League Baseball record for home runs by a switch-hitter, which stood at 54 since 1961, and has established the MLB record for home runs hit by a catcher during a single season, breaking Salvador Perez's record of 48 from 2021. As the season progresses, Raleigh finds himself in a fierce competition for the American League Most Valuable Player award against the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge. While Raleigh holds a lead over Judge in terms of home runs and runs batted in, Judge excels in numerous key offensive categories, including on-base plus slugging (OPS) by a margin of about 180 points at the time of this report. On the same night of Raleigh's home run, Judge also demonstrated his power by hitting his 49th home run of the season, proving that the race for the MVP title will be closely contested as both players drive their teams forward in pursuit of playoff success. The significance of Raleigh's home run and his challenge to existing records not only highlights his exceptional talent but also ignites inspiration among aspiring athletes and baseball enthusiasts worldwide. The fans, known for their passionate support for the team, celebrated the historic moment by cheering for Raleigh, who proudly lifted his arms in victory after rounding the bases, raising the Mariners' trident symbolizing their home run celebrations with joy upon returning to the dugout, cheekily showcasing the team spirit that embodies the Mariners.