Cal Raleigh’s 60th Homer Forces Mariners to Make a Tough Choice

When Cal Raleigh launched his 60th home run on Wednesday night, he made history twice. He became the first catcher in Major League history to reach that milestone, and he helped the Mariners clinch the American League West title.

Now the spotlight shifts to a weekend dilemma.

With just three regular season games left, do the Mariners keep him in the lineup to chase Aaron Judge’s AL record of 62, or sit him down to protect their playoff run?

The stakes are clear.

Raleigh’s bat has made him the story of the season. His 60 home runs and 125 RBIs fueled Seattle’s first division crown since 2001, while a torrid September (.305 average, eight homers in 17 games) vaulted him into the driver’s seat for AL MVP. Betting markets now list him ahead of Judge, a stunning turn that shows how much voters value his historic production. Every at-bat this weekend could influence MVP odds.

But the case for caution is equally strong.

Raleigh isn’t Judge or Mark McGwire. He’s a catcher, carrying the daily workload of one of baseball’s most demanding positions. The physical toll is obvious. With October baseball secured, Seattle must weigh whether chasing a record this weekend against the Dodgers is worth risking fatigue or injury.

History offers a parallel.

Judge hit his 60th in 2022 and kept playing until he reached 62, ultimately setting the American League single-season record. And then he was brutal in the playoffs.

Raleigh trails that pace, and the Mariners don’t need wins for seeding. Their October success will depend more on having a fresh catcher than on an extra spot in the record book.