Cal Raleigh crushed his 54th home run of the season on Sunday, matching Mickey Mantle’s long-standing record for most home runs in a season by a switch hitter. The blast came in the Mariners’ 11-2 rout of the Los Angeles Angels, a victory that lifted Seattle into sole possession of first place in the American League West.
The historic homer traveled 409 feet into the bullpen on just the second pitch Raleigh saw, cementing his status as one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. Reflecting on the achievement, Raleigh recalled his father’s admiration for Mantle: “I remember him talking about Mantle like he was a god. It’s kind of cool to think about that.”
Seattle’s offense dominated throughout the afternoon, with Jorge Polanco tying a team record with three doubles, while Julio Rodriguez added two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs. The Mariners have now won nine straight games and are chasing their first division crown since 2001, when the team won a record-tying 116 games.
Manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh’s all-around impact on the field, noting not only his power at the plate but also his leadership behind it. “He just wants to win, and that’s where it all comes from. That’s the driver,” Wilson said. Raleigh echoed the focus on team goals: “I’m glad that we have something bigger to work towards.”
