Cal Raleigh Smashes Change-Hitter Residence Run Record To Tie Mariners Legend Ken Griffey Jr.

Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh marked his title in baseball historical past on Tuesday evening, breaking Mickey Mantle’s long-standing report for residence runs by a switch-hitter and tying Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise mark.

Facing the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, the All-Star catcher crushed his fifty fifth and 56th homers of the season in back-to-back at-bats, solidifying one of many biggest power-hitting seasons ever seen from a catcher.

Raleigh Passes Mantle with No. 55

During a summer season night in Kansas City, Raleigh doubled his first time up earlier than coming again up within the third inning. Hitting left-handed versus Michael Wacha, he flied out combating the depend earlier than taking revenge on a hung-up curveball, sending it 419 toes down the right-field wall.

That hit offered him together with his fifty fifth residence run for the season, tying the mark that New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle set in 1961. Raleigh had equaled Mantle’s report only a few days earlier than towards the Angels.

No. 56 Ties Griffey’s Mariners Record

The very subsequent inning, Raleigh confirmed his switch-hitting prowess from the fitting aspect. Against lefty Daniel Lynch IV, he did not waste any time, crushing the primary pitch he noticed 425 toes to straightaway heart.

According to MLB, that homer equaled Griffey’s iconic single-season complete of 56, first achieved in 1997 and duplicated in 1998. With that one swing, Raleigh put himself within the firm of one of many biggest monikers in Mariners historical past.

Standing Ovation For Raleigh

The achievements attracted a standing ovation from Mariners followers in the back of the visiting dugout, with even Royals followers jeering the historic achievement. The efficiency of Raleigh was his twentieth profession multi-homer sport and his tenth of the season, each Major League Baseball catcher data. No catcher within the historical past of Major League Baseball has ever had this sort of regular energy for one yr.

Chasing the 60-Homer Club

Just 9 gamers in historical past have reached 60 or extra residence runs in a season. The final was Aaron Judge, who established the American League mark at 62 in 2022. Raleigh is six in need of that complete with 11 video games to play. To obtain it, he would wish to complete on fireplace, however his energy and tempo make it conceivable.