Cal Raleigh Breaks Griffey’s Record with 57th HR, Eyes 60
BREAKING: Cal Raleigh has just shattered Ken Griffey Jr.‘s long-standing single-season franchise record by hitting his 57th home run on Saturday night. This remarkable feat occurred during the Seattle Mariners game against the Houston Astros, propelling Raleigh closer to the historic 60 HR milestone—a mark achieved by only six players in MLB history.
In a thrilling display of power, Raleigh connected with a fastball from Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in the top of the third inning, driving the ball deep into the right-center field stands. The ball soared over the Astros’ bullpen, marking Raleigh’s 18th home run of the season, securing his position as the all-time single-season home run leader for catchers and switch-hitters.
This significant achievement not only surpasses Griffey’s 56 homers from the 1997 and 1998 seasons but also highlights Raleigh’s extraordinary ability to hit pitches on the outer third of the plate. With just seven games remaining in the Mariners’ season, fans are eagerly watching as he aims for the prestigious 60-homer benchmark.
“It’s a surreal feeling to break a record held by such a legendary player,” Raleigh said, smiling as he celebrated with teammates in the dugout.
Historically, Babe Ruth was the first to reach 60 home runs in 1927, a record that endured until Roger Maris broke it in 1961. Since then, the pursuit of this milestone has captivated baseball fans: Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased it in 1998, while Barry Bonds set a new record with 73 in 2001 and Aaron Judge hit 62 in 2022.
As Raleigh continues his pursuit, he is also in contention for the AL MVP Award, competing against Judge for the coveted title. The excitement is palpable as Mariners fans rally behind their star catcher, who has proven to be a game-changer this season.
With the Mariners in a crucial part of their schedule, every game matters. The team is focused on securing a playoff spot while Raleigh seeks to etch his name further into baseball history. Stay tuned for more updates as he approaches this remarkable achievement, and prepare to witness history in the making.
