Mariners' Cal Raleigh makes team history vs. Astros

The record-breaking home run was hit off Astros' lefty Framber Valdez in the third inning. It's another feather in the switch-hitting backstop's cap as he pursues this year's AL MVP award along with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. 

Cal Raleigh has the most HRs in a season in Seattle Mariners history

Raleigh has already smashed other catcher hitting records in 2025 on his way to this milestone, including Salvador Perez's single-season catcher home run record back in 2021 and Johnny Bench's record. The question now is whether he'll extend his new Mariners club record for home runs in a season by reaching 60, and if that'll be a convincing enough case to wry MVP honors away from the aforementioned Judge. 

It's worth noting that Judge's American League single-season record of 62 home runs, set back in 2022, is theoretically attainable for Raleigh. However, he'll need to go on a serious tear over the season's final week to have a realistic chance of approaching that mark. 

"Big Dumper" also captured this year's Home Run Derby title, though in the grand scheme, that's more of a fun trivia fact rather than holding any significance with respect to this record-breaking campaign. 

All told, we've never witnessed a season like this from a catcher, nor from any Seattle Mariners position player, including Griffey Jr. 

The only thing that could top Raleigh's greatness is a deep playoff run in the Pacific Northwest, which could be on the way in a wide-open American League.