MLB News: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh continues to shine, becoming the first to reach 40 home runs.

The power hitter keeps booming; Seattle Mariners' strong catcher Cal Raleigh, during the sixth inning of today's 7-2 win against the Angels,hit a 113.5 mph blast off reliever José Fermín's 97 mph fastball—this was his second strongest hit of the season—traveling 416 feet into the right field stands, marking his 40th home run of the season without any doubt.

With this hit, Raleigh made history: he became the first catcher in MLB history to reach 40 home runs before the end of July and the first switch-hitter to achieve this feat. He is now the fifth player in Mariners history to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, and Nelson Cruz.

"They are all legendary players," Raleigh said, "representing the pinnacle of the team. It's an honor to join this group, and I will continue to push my limits."

Raleigh is also the seventh catcher in MLB history to hit 40 home runs in a season, with others including Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza (both accomplished this twice), Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley, Javy López, and Salvador Perez.

The home run in the sixth inning thrilled starting pitcher George Kirby, who has been teammates with Raleigh for four years.

"It was incredible; 40 home runs is amazing," Kirby said, "He will definitely keep hitting. Achieving this so quickly is particularly impressive, especially considering he has to manage the game and analyze data as a catcher."

Manager Scott Servais particularly praised Raleigh's attitude: unaffected by pressure and focused on helping the team win.

"He has always remained humble," Servais noted, "and while he seems calm on the surface, hitting 40 home runs must make him happy. I'm sure he is eager to hit number 41 because it will help the team win."

Reaching this milestone is significant—July is ending, and August is approaching, making each game more critical. This is especially crucial for the Mariners, who are four games behind the Astros in the AL West and are also in the wild card race.

Servais called this a "special team," with Raleigh as a key figure.

"Cal's desire to win is the most prominent," he said, "Everyone in the locker room wants to win. We motivate each other, and Cal is leading the charge."

"His season stats are remarkable, and this home run adds another achievement."

According to MLB analyst Sarah Langs, Raleigh is closing in on several records: the home run record for primary catchers (Perez's 48 in 2021), the home run record while catching (López's 42 in 2003; Raleigh currently has 32), and the home run record for switch-hitters (Mickey Mantle's 54 in 1961).

The last Mariners player to reach 40 home runs before August was Ken Griffey Jr. on August 18, 1997.

At his current pace, Raleigh is projected to hit 62 home runs in 2025, tying the AL record set by Aaron Judge in 2022.

However, he is not fixated on chasing records and even reacted calmly to last night's achievement. For him, what matters more is that this home run broke the tie and sparked a four-run inning that secured the victory.

"It's not about being deliberately low-key," Raleigh admitted, "but winning the game makes me happier. I’ll cherish this moment more after I retire."