Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh of Cullowhee, North Carolina has been on quite the run this season. He is the Major League Baseball all-time leader in home runs by a primary catcher in a single season (49), and the MLB all-time leader in home runs by a switch hitter in a single season (55). Now Raleigh is the all-time Seattle Mariners home run leader in a single season (57).
Raleigh broke the record on Saturday in a 6-4 Mariners win over the Houston Astros. The home run came in the top of the third inning and put the Mariners up 3-0. The previous record belonged to outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. of Donora, Pennsylvania, who had 56 home runs in 1997 and again in 1998.
What Raleigh accomplished on Saturday was meaningful. However, from a team perspective what the Mariners accomplished in Houston over the last three days was impressive indeed. They went into the Lone Star state tied for first place, and then put a beatdown on a franchise that has won two World Series in the last eight years. Seattle swept the Astros in the three game set, and outscored Houston 17-7.
The Mariners now have a rather comfortable three game lead over the Astros in the American League West. The three game lead is the largest lead in the American League at the moment. The Toronto Blue Jays lead the New York Yankees by two games in the American League East, and the Detroit Tigers lead the Cleveland Guardians by a single game in the American League Central.
