Cal Raleigh Ties Mickey Mantle's Switch-Hitter Home Run Record

Cal Raleigh, the catcher for the Seattle Mariners, made history on September 14, 2025, by hitting his 54th home run of the season, thereby tying Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for the most home runs in a single season by a switch-hitter. Raleigh's milestone was achieved with a first-inning homer against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kyle Hendricks, marking a significant moment in his career and in baseball history.

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh ties switch-hitter HR recordESPNCBS Sports247SportsHow Cal Raleigh one-upped Mickey Mantle in pursuit of switch-hitter HR recordSportskeeda

Mickey Mantle set the previous record of 54 home runs during his 1961 season with the New York Yankees. Raleigh's achievement is particularly notable as he has 12 games remaining in the regular season to potentially surpass Mantle's record. Additionally, Raleigh is on the verge of breaking Ken Griffey Jr.'s franchise record of 56 home runs, set during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. With 54 home runs, Raleigh leads Major League Baseball and is in contention for the American League MVP award alongside New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge.

CBS SportsSeattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh ties switch-hitter HR recordESPN247SportsHow Cal Raleigh one-upped Mickey Mantle in pursuit of switch-hitter HR recordNo. 54! Cal matches Mantle for single-season switch-hitter HR recordSportskeeda

Raleigh, who was drafted by the Mariners in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft, has seen a remarkable rise in his power-hitting capabilities over the past few seasons. He hit 27 home runs in 2022, followed by 30 in 2023 and 34 in 2024. This season, he has not only tied Mantle's record but also broken the record for the most home runs by a primary catcher in a season, previously held by Salvador Perez, who hit 48 home runs in 2021.

CBS SportsSeattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh ties switch-hitter HR recordSportskeeda247SportsHow Cal Raleigh one-upped Mickey Mantle in pursuit of switch-hitter HR recordESPNNo. 54! Cal matches Mantle for single-season switch-hitter HR record

Following the historic home run, the Seattle Mariners celebrated Raleigh's achievement on social media, highlighting his place in the record books alongside Mantle. Raleigh's performance has garnered attention not just for the records but also for his overall contributions to the team, including leading the league with 115 RBIs and a .937 OPS.

ESPN

Despite his impressive season, some analysts have noted signs of fatigue in Raleigh's performance, particularly in the second half of the season. His batting average has dropped from .259 in the first half to .209, raising questions about his ability to maintain his power-hitting pace as the season progresses.

It's time for a conversation about whether Cal Raleigh is Mariners' true MVP

As the Mariners approach the end of the regular season, Raleigh's focus will be on breaking both Mantle's record and potentially challenging Aaron Judge's American League record of 62 home runs. With the Mariners in playoff contention, Raleigh's performance will be crucial in the coming weeks.

CBS Sports

• “That means he’s now the only catcher ever to hit 50 in a season.” — Sports My Northwest

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh ties switch-hitter HR record

• “Raleigh has obliterated that record and still has plenty of time to add to his total.” — CBS Sports

CBS Sports

Cal Raleigh's historic season not only places him in the annals of baseball history but also sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2025 MLB season.

CBS Sports