The Seattle Mariners are chasing a wild card spot, and Cal Raleigh is putting together the kind of season that has him mentioned alongside Barry Bonds.
Raleigh launched his 37th and 38th home runs of the season in just the team’s 94th game, making him only the second player ever to reach 38 homers before the All-Star Break. The other guy? Barry Bonds, who hit 39 in the first half of his legendary 2001 MVP campaign, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
That’s some pretty exclusive company.
What makes this even more interesting is that Raleigh’s doing this as a catcher. The single-season record for home runs by a backstop belongs to Salvador Perez, who hit 48 in 2021. At his current pace, Raleigh’s got a legitimate shot at that mark.
The timing couldn’t be better for the Mariners’ investment. They signed Raleigh to a six-year, $105 million deal before the season, and he’s making every penny look smart. He earned his first All-Star selection this year and finds himself in the AL MVP conversation, though Aaron Judge seems to be the frontrunner.
Still, Raleigh’s got two more games before the break to either catch or pass Bonds’ first-half record of 39. Not bad for a guy who’s already established himself as one of the most consistent power threats at his position.
The numbers tell the story. Raleigh’s slashing .264/.377/.645 with those 38 homers representing a new career high. He’s now hit at least 30 home runs in three straight seasons, with 27 back in 2022 as well.
For context, Bonds’ 39 first-half homers were just the appetizer for what became the greatest power season in baseball history – his record-setting 73 home runs in 2001.
Raleigh’s season is shaping up to be historic among catchers, but being mentioned in the same breath as Bonds – even for half a season – shows just how special this run has been. The Mariners need every bit of that production as they fight for their playoff lives.
