The Mariners have something special happening behind the plate. Cal Raleigh just joined one of baseball’s most exclusive clubs Saturday night at Wrigley Field.
With his ninth-inning blast, Raleigh became the first player since 2001 to reach 30 home runs through his team’s first 75 games. The last guys to do it? Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez during that ridiculous 2001 season when Bonds launched 73 homers.
Let’s put this in perspective.
The complete list of players who’ve hit 30-plus homers in their team’s first 75 games reads like a who’s who of slugging legends:
- 2001: Barry Bonds, Luis Gonzalez
- 1999: Sammy Sosa
- 1998: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa
- 1994: Ken Griffey Jr.
- 1969: Reggie Jackson
- 1961: Roger Maris
- 1930, 1928, 1921: Babe Ruth
That’s it. That’s the entire list, according to MLB Network’s Sarah Langs.
What makes Raleigh’s achievement even more remarkable? He’s doing it as a catcher. Every other name on that list spent most of their time in the outfield or at first base.
The switch-hitting backstop has been absolutely crushing the ball this season. At this pace, Raleigh’s looking at 50-plus home runs – and that might be selling him short. An outside shot at 60 isn’t completely out of the question.
Sure, catching takes a toll. The grind of squatting behind the plate for 130-plus games tests even the most durable players. But Raleigh’s built different – he’s got that rare combination of raw power from both sides of the plate and the consistency to maintain it.
The way he’s swinging the bat right now, you’d be foolish to bet against him keeping this up.
What started as a breakout season has turned into something truly historic. For a franchise that’s waited decades for this kind of offensive production, watching Raleigh rewrite the record books has been nothing short of magical.
If he doesn’t reach 50 homers from here, it’d honestly feel like a disappointment. That’s how good he’s been.
