Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Mariners' Cal Raleigh keeps chasing history in win over Tigers

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 10:49 PM ET

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed two more home runs in a 12-3 win against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night, including a grand slam to help break the game open in the top of the ninth inning. Those two home runs give him 38 for the season, extending his Major League lead to four over New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge.

He is not only leading the league and on track to rewrite the record book for switch hitters and catchers, but he is also chasing history for all players.

If he can hit one more home run this weekend before Monday's All-Star break begins, he will tie the Major League mark for most home runs before the All-Star break in a season.

That record currently belongs to Barry Bonds, who hit 39 before the All-Star break during his record-setting 73 home run season in 2001.

He has already set the mark for the most home runs before the break in American League history.

HISTORY: Cal Raleigh's incredible season continues with another monstrous blast https://t.co/oqLcySc4IK pic.twitter.com/TSyIqvC31m
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2025

Raleigh's home run total has improved every year he has been in the league, going from two in his initial debut to 27, to 30, to 34, to his current mark of 38 and counting. He has already established a new career high, and it is only going to keep increasing with half of a season remaining.

The only two questions that remain now are: How many will he ultimately hit this season? Will it be enough to secure him an AL MVP win over Judge?

He is likely a candidate to hit at least 40. He has a legitimate chance at 50 home runs. He only needs 22 in the second half to reach 60 home runs. All of it is on the table.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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