Baseball sensation Cal Raleigh matches Ken Griffey Jr.'s milestone during his explosive 2025 home run surge
Cal Raleigh Nears Seattle Mariners' Single-Season Home Run Record
Cal Raleigh is making a strong case for the Seattle Mariners' single-season home run record, currently standing at 56 homers, a mark set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997 and 1998. As of August 20, 2025, Raleigh has hit an impressive 47 home runs this season[2].
Raleigh has already made history by breaking the MLB record for most home runs in a single season by a switch-hitting catcher with his 42nd homer on July 31, 2025[1]. He is now within striking distance of the overall catcher single-season record of 48 home runs held by Salvador Perez from 2021.
Raleigh's pace through 124 games (47 homers) puts him ahead of previous Mariners record-breakers in home run timing. He reached 44 homers in only 118 games, a faster pace than Ken Griffey Jr. in his peak years[5]. While he has not yet matched Griffey’s full Mariners record, he is the leading candidate this season to challenge or break it.
Raleigh's approach at the plate seems to be a key factor in his success. He believes getting in good counts helps him to see the ball well and trust his hands. After hitting his 45th home run, he made the statement, "I'm trying to get in those good counts as often as I can"[6].
The Mariners are currently one game behind the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. The team has been on a roll, winning seven consecutive games and nine out of their last 10. Raleigh's consistent performances have undoubtedly played a significant role in this streak.
Raleigh has expressed his feelings about being on the all-time Seattle lists with Ken Griffey Jr., stating it's an honor and a blessing. He considers Griffey Jr. as the "face of the franchise." Despite the potential for breaking Griffey's record, Raleigh respects the legacy Griffey has left behind[4].
If Raleigh manages to break the American League single-season home run record of 62, currently held by Aaron Judge, and surpass Griffey's Mariners record, he would undoubtedly cement his place in Mariners history. However, with 9 games left in the regular season, the race for the home run crown is far from over.
[1] - [Source for the MLB switch-hitting record] [2] - [Source for Raleigh's current home run count] [3] - [Source for Griffey's single-season home run record] [4] - [Source for Raleigh's feelings about Griffey Jr.] [5] - [Source for Raleigh's pace compared to previous record-breakers] [6] - [Source for Raleigh's statement after hitting his 45th home run]
In the ongoing MLB season, the news of baseball injuries is absent, as Cal Raleigh's outstanding performance continues, counting 47 home runs and positioning him close to the overall catcher single-season home run record of 48 homers set by Salvador Perez in 2021. Given his current pace, Raleigh's potential achievement in sports history could see him breaking the Mariners' single-season home run record, held by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997 and 1998, and if he manages to surpass both records, he will undoubtedly establish a lasting legacy within MLB's Seattle Mariners.
