Cal Raleigh is rewriting the home run record books — and he’s not done yet. On Wednesday night, the Mariners’ slugging catcher crushed his 59th and 60th homers of the season, powering Seattle to a 9-2 win over the Colorado Rockies and locking up their fourth AL West crown. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: with four games still to play, Raleigh is within striking distance of Aaron Judge’s American League record of 62, set just three years ago in 2022. Could we be watching history in the making?
The fireworks started early at T-Mobile Park. Facing Rockies starter Tanner Gordon (6-8), Raleigh launched a towering first-inning shot into the upper deck in right field. Moments later, Julio Rodríguez followed with a no-doubt solo blast to left, and Jorge Polanco joined the party with a homer of his own — all in the opening frame. Raleigh wasn’t finished, either. In the eighth inning, with two outs, he sent another rocket into the right-field seats off reliever Angel Chivilli, sealing his second homer of the night.
Seattle’s offense wasn’t the only story. Luis Castillo (11-8) was dominant on the mound, carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Blaine Crim broke it up with a solo home run. Castillo ended up tossing 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball, continuing a scorching stretch for the Mariners, who have now won 16 of their last 17 games. For a franchise that has never reached the World Series, this kind of momentum is stirring up big dreams — and maybe a few nerves.
Eugenio Suárez added to the slugfest with his 48th homer in the seventh inning, further cementing Seattle’s reputation as one of the most dangerous power-hitting teams in baseball right now.
Raleigh’s season has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. His 11 multi-homer games tie him with legends like Aaron Judge (2022), Hank Greenberg (1938), and Sammy Sosa for the most in a single MLB season. That’s elite company — and if he keeps swinging like this, he could stand alone at the top.
As for what’s next, the Rockies will send right-hander Bradley Blalock (2-5, 9.16 ERA) to the mound Thursday night. The Mariners, perhaps keeping their cards close, have yet to announce their starter.
So here’s the question for baseball fans: if Raleigh breaks Judge’s record, will it carry the same weight, or will debates about ballpark factors, pitching quality, and era comparisons cloud the achievement? Drop your take — is this pure greatness, or is there more to the story?
