Cal Raleigh Breaks Ken Griffey Jr.’s Home Run Record
In a season already shaping up to be memorable, Cal Raleigh has etched his name in Seattle Mariners history by surpassing an emblematic mark. The left-handed catcher hit his forty-sixth home run of the year on Tuesday against the Yankees, leaving behind the record set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998, who achieved 35 home runs before the All-Star break. The historic hit occurred in the eighth inning against pitcher Geoff Hartlieb, a powerful shot that soared to the second level of right field at Yankee Stadium. Despite the Mariners’ 10-3 loss, this moment was etched in the annals of baseball.Manager Dan Wilson, who shared a locker room with Griffey for six seasons in the 90s, acknowledged the importance of Raleigh’s achievement.Obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted tonight, but breaking a record like that is special. Griffey is a legend. I’m just trying to do my part.
Cal Raleigh
In addition to leading the Major Leagues in home runs, Raleigh also leads the American League in RBIs (76), with an outstanding offensive line of .268/.383/.646, which positions him as a strong candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award of the season. His evolution as a hitter has been remarkable. Known for his timely home runs —like the one that secured the postseason berth in 2022—, Raleigh has worked to become a more complete hitter from both sides of the plate.I never thought anyone would surpass that mark. It’s incredible what Cal is doing.
Dan Wilson
His approach has yielded results. With the 2025 All-Star Game just around the corner, and being one of the confirmed participants for the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, Raleigh seems poised to shine on the biggest stage, making it clear that his season is not a fluke, but rather a reflection of his maturity and growth as a ballplayer.I try to understand who I am as a hitter, take advantage of my turns and not just look for power.
Cal Raleigh
