Mariners' Cal Raleigh first MLB player with 40 homers in 2025

Cal Raleigh became the first player in the 2025 MLB season to hit 40 home runs, achieving this feat with a 416-foot solo shot against the Los Angeles Angels. He is the seventh catcher in major league history to reach 40 homers in a single season and the first switch-hitter to do so before the end of July, joining an elite group including Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza. Raleigh also broke Ken Griffey Jr.'s franchise record for most home runs by a Mariners player in their first five seasons and ranks third in MLB home runs this season, trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. His performance places him as a strong American League MVP candidate, especially with Judge currently sidelined due to injury. The Mariners won the game 7-2, with notable contributions from Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena, while Seattle's George Kirby earned the win on the mound. Raleigh is on pace to challenge the MLB single-season home run record for catchers and the AL single-season record overall.