Cal breaks the single season HR record for catchers.

[Ruminator]

Mind-blowing that he's the only MLB player, ever, to accomplish this:

 

[Somos doces]

MVP!

 

[Ozzy]

I think when we did our prediction earlier for what he would finish with I said 54 because I thought the pressure would be high. He blew past that. 57 would be awesome so he's standing alone and 60 would be incredible. Not doubting him again.

 

[IndyHawk]

MVP!

His batting average and slugging% compared to Judge who hits in
a kiddy park is not close, then you have the NY media behind him.
I'm just pointing it out if he gets denied.

 

[Maulbert]

His batting average and slugging% compared to Judge who hits in
a kiddy park is not close, then you have the NY media behind him.
I'm just pointing it out if he gets denied.

Judge is not the MVP. He's the OPOY.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

If Cal was a Yankee, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

Judge has ridiculous numbers. But as far who is MOST VALUABLE to his team? It's Cal by a long shot.

 

[Ozzy]

I think Cal gets it. I always thought if he gets into the high 50's with his position, his handling one of the best staffs in the league, his defensive reputation I think he gets the MVP this year. I also agree with Soul that if Cal was a Yankee this would be a done deal.

If Cal somehow hits 60? It might be unanimous.

 

[RiverDog]

Mickey Mantle faced just 99 pitchers in his record-breaking year. Guess how many pitchers Cal faced in breaking Mickey's HR record, with two weeks to go? Check it out:

Yeah, but Mantle didn't have the benefit of the designated hitter rule, either. As many games as Mantle missed due to injury, it's a near certainty that he'd have been able to play in a lot more games and hit more HR's as a DH. After all, Cal has hit 13 of his 56 home runs this season, nearly one out of 4, as a designated hitter.

And please don't take this as a slight of Cal's accomplishments or not respecting what he's done this season. The point I'm making is that the game has changed so much over the years that making these types of historical comparisons is truly apples and oranges.

 

[Maulbert]

Yeah, but Mantle didn't have the benefit of the designated hitter rule, either. As many games as Mantle missed due to injury, it's a near certainty that he'd have been able to play in a lot more games and hit more HR's as a DH. After all, Cal has hit 13 of his 56 home runs this season, nearly one out of 4, as a designated hitter.

And please don't take this as a slight of Cal's accomplishments or not respecting what he's done this season. The point I'm making is that the game has changed so much over the years that making these types of historical comparisons is truly apples and oranges.

Cal hit #55 and #56 in his 148th game. Mantle played in 153 games total in 1961.

You are just plain wrong.

Switch Hitter With The Most Home Runs In A Season | StatMuse

Cal Raleigh has smashed the most homers by a switch-hitter in a season, with 60 home runs in 2025.

www.statmuse.com

 

[MontanaHawk05]

It's the Battle of the Ackshuallys!

Let's sell tickets!

 

[Ozzy]

I love Mantle. I think what Cal is doing though is crazy in an era where every game someone is throwing a 100, every pitcher is fresh etc. People complain about averages being bad but I think its honestly because pitching is so good. Cal is having a top 3 power hitting season of all time if you remove steroids.....its crazy.

 

[RiverDog]

Cal hit #55 and #56 in his 148th game. Mantle played in 153 games total in 1961.

You are just plain wrong.

Switch Hitter With The Most Home Runs In A Season | StatMuse

Cal Raleigh has smashed the most homers by a switch-hitter in a season, with 60 home runs in 2025.

www.statmuse.com

First of all, you can't just lop off the last 10 games or so of a season and consider it a fair comparison. Why not lop off the first 10? Or the middle 10? That argument was made when Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's 60 homers via the first 162 game regular season in 1961. Maris hit his 60th homer, tying Ruth, in the 155th game of the 1961 season. Ruth played in a 154-game season, and many argued for that reason, Ruth's record should stand.

My point was that the game is different from what it was 60 years or so ago, and there is little doubt that the designated hitter rule has changed the dynamics. Besides, that's just one example of the pitfalls we can get into if we can start comparing performances from different eras.

Another is that the distance to center field in Yankee Stadium when Mantle played was 461 feet, left center was 457, straight away left field was 415. We can also talk about the torpedo bat that Cal uses, the more tightly woven baseball, the pitcher's mound being higher, etc. Plus, there's arguments on the other side of the coin, too. Catching is a much more physically demanding position than center field.

Like I said, I am NOT trying to diminish any of Cal's accomplishments. He's having a banner season, one for the record books. I am merely pointing out that it's an apples vs. oranges proposition when you start comparing him or anyone else with player performances from 60-70 years ago.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Well, he deserves MVP, imo.

I just don't think he's gonna' get it. For now, I just want them in the damn playoffs.

That being said, Cal in the playoff absolutely DOES increase his chances.

 

[RiverDog]

Well, he deserves MVP, imo.

I just don't think he's gonna' get it. For now, I just want them in the damn playoffs.

He's making a good case for MVP, that's for sure. I can see arguments for both him and Aaron Judge. Judge is currently batting .329, Cal just .247. That's a big difference. Plus, Judge is putting up some very good power numbers, 48 RR's and 103 RBI's.

But as a catcher, Cal plays a lot more valuable defensive position than Judge, an outfielder, does. Pitching has been the Mariners strength, and you have to give Cal due credit for his role in managing the pitching staff.

IMO it's a toss-up.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Been down this road enough times. Let's get 2 of 3 this weekend. Most important series in 2 decades.

 

[Maulbert]

#57 and #58 in Houston. 2 away from 60 with 6 games to go, 4 to tie Judge for the AL record. Don't know if he has 5 in him.

 

[Ruminator]

This already incredible Mariners season would go down as one of the most amazing if Cal does hit 63, even if we don't make it to the World Series. Imagine the on-field celebration and fireworks if 63 happens. But getting to the WS... how sweet would that be. That would probably qualify 2025, as a whole, as an even better season than the record 116-win season in 2001. But not by much!

 

[sutz]

Hitting 5 homers in a week is a tall order. Pitchers have already been pitching around him a bit.

I'd rather win the Series than see 63 homers. Love Cal, but hey, he'd probably say the same thing.

 

[Ruminator]

Yes, I'd rather see Cal hit a nasty drought and not even get the 59th homer than see Ms lose a playoff series in October. Imagine him having a couple of 2-homer games in the last 6 games, though.... and a homer in a couple other games. Fun to daydream.

 

[SuperSonic67]

Yes, I'd rather see Cal hit a nasty drought and not even get the 59th homer than see Ms lose a playoff series in October. Imagine him having a couple of 2-homer games in the last 6 games, though.... and a homer in a couple other games. Fun to daydream.

6 games in front of a pumped up fan base…I’m not betting against him!