### Cal Raleigh's Historic Season: A New Era for Seattle Mariners Catching Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' catcher, has made headlines in Major League Baseball (MLB) by achieving remarkable milestones in the 2025 season. As of June 5, 2025, he matched Ichiro Suzuki's career home run total of 117 in just five seasons, establishing himself as a key player in Mariners history [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/mlb/news/seattle-mariners-catcher-cal-raleigh-becomes-fastest-to-match-ichiros-home-run-total/articleshow/121681824.cms]. His performance has not only garnered attention for his power-hitting but also for his potential to set new records for catchers in the league. ### Breakdown of Cal Raleigh's Achievements and Impact 1. **Record-Setting Home Runs**: - Raleigh has become the first catcher in MLB history to hit 20 or more home runs before the end of May, achieving this milestone on May 31, 2025 [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_cal_raleigh_hits_another_historic_mark_in_friday_contest/s1_17042_42266886]. - He currently leads the league with 23 home runs, surpassing notable players like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge [https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/mariners-cal-raleigh-leads-mlb-in-homers-and-is-on-pace-to-set-a-season-record-for-catchers]. 2. **Historical Comparisons**: - Raleigh's home run total ties him with Shohei Ohtani for the most in the league, and he is on pace to break the record for home runs by a primary catcher in a single season, which is currently held by Salvador Perez at 48 [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_cal_raleigh_earns_incredible_weekly_honor/s1_17042_42276732]. - He is also the third primary catcher in MLB history to lead in home runs through June 1 or later in the wild card era [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_continues_to_make_unreal_history_with_torrid_stretch_at_plate/s1_17042_42276072]. 3. **Recognition and Awards**: - Raleigh was named the co-American League Player of the Week for his outstanding performance from May 26 to June 1, where he hit .348 with six home runs and 10 RBIs [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_cal_raleigh_earns_incredible_weekly_honor/s1_17042_42276732]. - His contributions have led to chants of "MVP" from fans, reflecting his growing status in the league [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/power_surging_cal_raleigh_to_lead_mariners_against_orioles/s1_17044_42276958]. ### Supporting Data and Statistics - **Home Run Totals**: - **2025 Season**: 23 home runs (as of June 5) [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/mlb/news/seattle-mariners-catcher-cal-raleigh-becomes-fastest-to-match-ichiros-home-run-total/articleshow/121681824.cms]. - **Historical Milestones**: First catcher to reach 20 home runs before May ends [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_cal_raleigh_hits_another_historic_mark_in_friday_contest/s1_17042_42266886]. - **Comparative Performance**: - Raleigh's current pace suggests he could finish the season with 64 home runs, which would set a new record for catchers [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/power_surging_cal_raleigh_to_lead_mariners_against_orioles/s1_17044_42276958]. ### Conclusion: A Bright Future for Cal Raleigh and the Mariners **Cal Raleigh's exceptional performance in the 2025 MLB season has not only placed him among the elite catchers in baseball history but has also revitalized the Seattle Mariners' franchise.** 1. **Historic Achievements**: Raleigh's record-setting home runs and potential to break existing records highlight his significant impact on the game. 2. **Recognition**: His accolades and fan support underscore his importance to the Mariners and the league. 3. **Future Prospects**: With his current trajectory, Raleigh is poised to redefine the standards for catchers in MLB, making him a player to watch in the coming seasons. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Raleigh continues to shape his legacy in baseball history [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/seattle_mariners_catcher_cal_raleigh_earns_incredible_weekly_honor/s1_17042_42276732].