Cal Raleigh surpasses Mickey Mantle's longstanding record.
In an electrifying display of power hitting, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners has etched his name into the annals of baseball history. During the team's game against the Kansas City Royals, Raleigh broke several records, including the Mariners' single-season home run record and the record for the most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season.
The record-breaking home run came in the third inning, sending the ball soaring over the fence for Raleigh's 54th home run of the season. This surpassed the previous record held by baseball legend Mickey Mantle, who hit 53 home runs in a single season back in 1961.
Just one inning later, Raleigh tied the Seattle Mariners record for most home runs in a single season, set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997. This impressive feat was achieved from the right side of the plate against Daniel Lynch IV.
Raleigh's performance was not limited to just these two home runs. The game also marked his 20th career multi-home run game and his 10th this season. His dominance at the plate was further evident as he also contributed two singles.
Dominic Canzone also had a notable game for the Mariners, hitting three home runs, collecting two singles, and driving in four runs.
The Mariners' impressive performance extended beyond Raleigh and Canzone. They went on to win their 10th consecutive game against the Kansas City Royals, maintaining their position atop the AL West division.
It's worth noting that Raleigh's feat of 60 or more home runs in a single season is a rare one in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. There have only been nine such seasons, with the last being Aaron Judge's 62 home runs in 2022 with the Yankees.
Raleigh's record-breaking performance didn't stop at breaking Mickey Mantle's record. Earlier in the season, he also broke the record for the most home runs by a catcher, set by Salvador Perez.
In his next at-bat, Raleigh hit his 56th home run, tying the Seattle Mariners record for most home runs in a single season. Whether he will break this record remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - Cal Raleigh is having a season for the ages.
Raleigh's home runs not only thrilled Mariners fans but also drew applause from some Royals fans, showcasing the electric atmosphere created by his performances. As the season progresses, baseball fans across the league will be eagerly watching to see if Raleigh can continue his record-breaking form.
