Cal Raleigh's Historic Night: Homers Past Mantle, Ties Mariners' Record
Cal Raleigh had a night for the ages on Tuesday in Kansas City, hitting two home runs that etched his name in baseball history. He surpassed a record held by Mickey Mantle and tied a Seattle Mariners' franchise record held by Ken Griffey Jr. The Mariners also extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 12-5 victory over the Royals.
Raleigh's Record-Breaking Performance
Raleigh's 55th home run of the season in the second inning broke Mantle's record for most home runs by a switch-hitter, which had stood since 1961. Just an inning later, his 56th homer tied Griffey's single-season club record, first set in 1997 and matched in 1998. Dominic Canzone, who himself had a stellar night going 5-for-5 with three home runs, lauded Raleigh's consistent performance.
"It just doesn't even seem real," said Canzone. "I mean, he just does it every single day, and he's doing it behind the plate as well. So just to have that type of a performance out of your catcher, it's something that you really don't see. It's like a once-in-a-lifetime type of player."
Toughness and Humility
Adding to the impressiveness of Raleigh's performance, he was hit in the neck by a pitch earlier in the game. Despite the pain, he remained in the game. Raleigh acknowledged the sting but brushed it off, attributing it to the nature of being a catcher. He finished the game 3-for-5 with a double in addition to his two home runs.
Raleigh expressed humility about his accomplishments, stating, "It's really cool. I'm humbled by it. A crazy kind of thing I never thought would happen." He emphasized his focus on taking things "day-by-day, pitch-by-pitch" and enjoying the season with his teammates.
Mariners' Playoff Push and Seattle's Sports Magic
The Mariners' win secured their position with a half-game lead in the AL West over the Houston Astros. Their 10-game winning streak is their longest since July 2022. Manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh's humility and desire to win, highlighting his significant contributions to the team's success. Raleigh currently leads the major leagues in home runs.
A Night of Records and Seattle Sports History
That same Tuesday night felt special for the city of Seattle. On September 16th, alongside Raleigh's outstanding performance, the Seattle Storm pulled off an upset victory against the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA playoffs.
- Cal Raleigh broke Mickey Mantle's switch-hitting home run record and tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s Mariners' single-season home run record.
- Dominic Canzone had a three-homer game.
- The Mariners maintained their lead in the AL West.
- The Seattle Storm ended the Las Vegas Aces' 17-game winning streak to force a decisive Game 3.
The evening was a testament to the vibrant and competitive sports scene in Seattle, showcasing both individual achievements and team triumphs.
