In a season that has already been nothing short of electric, Seattle Mariners’ star catcher Cal Raleigh added another jaw-dropping milestone to his incredible campaign. On Friday night, Raleigh launched his 38th home run of the season, breaking the American League record for most home runs before the All-Star break—and placing himself just one shy of Barry Bonds’ all-time MLB record of 39 first-half homers.
With that moonshot blast to right-center at T-Mobile Park, Raleigh didn’t just claim a new AL milestone—he surpassed Seattle legend Ken Griffey Jr. for the most first-half home runs in Mariners franchise history, firmly stamping his name in the team’s all-time records.
A Season to Remember
Nicknamed “Big Dumper” by fans for his powerful frame and even more powerful swing, Cal Raleigh has taken the league by storm in 2025. His offensive tear has been fueled by consistency, raw strength, and clutch performance after clutch performance. With every swing, he seems to be rewriting not just club history, but Major League Baseball history.
“I can’t even put it into words,” Raleigh said postgame. “To be mentioned in the same sentence with guys like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds—those are legends of the game. I’ve just been trying to stay focused, help the team win, and the rest is just blessings stacking up.”
The Historic Blast
The record-breaking 38th homer came in the bottom of the sixth inning in a tense matchup against the Houston Astros. The ball left his bat at 112 mph and traveled an estimated 442 feet, sending the Seattle crowd into a thunderous roar. As he rounded the bases, the crowd erupted into chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” — and rightly so.
Chasing Barry Bonds
Raleigh now sits just one home run shy of Barry Bonds’ record of 39 home runs before the All-Star break, set during his jaw-dropping 2001 season. While Bonds’ full-season record of 73 homers still looms as baseball’s summit, Raleigh’s trajectory suggests that nothing is off the table.
Mariners’ Faith Rewarded
Drafted by Seattle in 2018 and developed through their system, Raleigh has steadily emerged as the heart of the Mariners’ lineup. His leadership behind the plate and game-changing presence in the batter’s box have played a pivotal role in Seattle’s surge toward playoff contention this year.
General Manager Justin Hollander praised Raleigh’s historic feat: “What Cal is doing is truly special. He’s not just carrying the offense—he’s making baseball history in a Mariners uniform. We’re lucky to have him.”
Final Thoughts
As the All-Star break approaches, all eyes will be on Cal Raleigh as he tries to equal—and possibly surpass—Barry Bonds’ all-time mark. For now, Mariners fans can savor the moment: their catcher just out-homered Griffey, toppled an AL record, and is rewriting the narrative of greatness in Seattle.
