Cal Raleigh became the seventh player in MLB history to reach 60 home runs in a single season, and the Seattle Mariners clinched the AL West on the same night. Raleigh’s two-homer performance led Seattle to a 9–2 win over the Colorado Rockies and capped a stretch that has the Mariners charging into October.
This is now one of the biggest power seasons in recent memory — and it raises fresh conversation about single-season home-run records and the AL MVP race.
Raleigh’s milestone and the game that sealed it
Cal Raleigh went 3-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs in the victory that clinched the division for Seattle. His first blast was a 438-foot shot; the 60th came later with a 389-foot drive that put him in elite company. The Mariners improved to 89–69 with the win and closed the regular season on a hot run, securing the AL West crown.
Raleigh, a switch-hitting catcher, is 28 years old (born Nov. 26, 1996). He’s posted career highs this season and broken franchise records along the way, including becoming the Mariners’ single-season home-run leader. His production also pushed his RBI total well into triple digits and strengthened Seattle’s lineup at the most important time of the year.
Why 60 homers matters — context in MLB history
Hitting 60 home runs in one season places Raleigh beside names like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. The MLB single-season record remains 73 by Barry Bonds (2001), while the AL single-season record is 62 by Aaron Judge (2022). Raleigh’s 60 homers make him one of the few sluggers to reach that rare plateau — and the first catcher ever to hit 60 in a season.
That context matters for how fans and writers evaluate the season. Bonds’ 73 is the overall benchmark; Judge’s 62 is the American League mark. Raleigh, as a catcher and switch-hitter, has also rewritten subsets of the record book (most homers by a catcher, most by a switch-hitter in a season).
What this means for the Mariners and the MVP picture
Seattle’s offense has been a deciding factor in its run to the division crown. Raleigh’s power has forced opponents to change pitching plans and burn bullpen resources earlier. The Mariners’ stack of hitters — including Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford — creates lineup balance that complements Raleigh’s power. That depth helped Seattle clinch the AL West and will be valuable in the postseason.
Individually, Raleigh’s 60-HR season has vaulted him into MVP conversations. Aaron Judge remains a top candidate in the AL with his own big numbers, but Raleigh’s value — as a catcher who can handle the staff and produce at the plate — gives voters a different, strong case to consider. Expect debate among writers and voters in the coming weeks.
The numbers to watch next
- Mariners record: 89–69 and AL West champions.
- Cal Raleigh: 60 HRs, 125 RBIs (season total reported following the game).
- MLB single-season leader: Barry Bonds, 73 HRs (2001). AL mark: Aaron Judge, 62 HRs (2022).
If Raleigh keeps producing in the final days, he could climb even closer to Judge’s AL mark — a storyline that will follow into the playoffs if Seattle advances deep. Fans and analysts should track exit velocity, hard-hit rate and remaining matchups to judge whether Raleigh’s power surge is likely to continue.
Quick note on Cal Raleigh’s profile and role
Caleb “Cal” Raleigh debuted with Seattle in 2021 and has developed into a middle-of-the-order power bat while catching regularly. He’s known for his power from both sides of the plate and his defensive work behind the plate. This combination — offensive muscle plus defensive reliability — is rare for a catcher and a reason his season has drawn so much attention.
What fans should watch in the coming days
- Mariners’ remaining schedule and how Seattle manages workload before the postseason.
- Raleigh’s at-bats vs. left- and right-handed pitching to see if matchups limit or extend his power run.
- MVP voting narratives — whether voters reward a catcher’s season and a division winner over traditional outfield sluggers.
Sources: Reuters game coverage of Cal Raleigh’s two-HR night and Seattle’s AL West clinch; MLB.com standings and player bio pages; ESPN single-season home-run leaderboards.
1 thought on “Cal Raleigh’s 60th HR: Mariners Clinch AL West in Historic Power Show”