Cal Raleigh Makes History as Second Switch-Hitter to Hit 50 Home Runs in a Season
Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh has made history by becoming the second switch-hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB) to hit 50 home runs in a single season. This feat places him in an exclusive club, joining the legendary Mickey Mantle. Raleigh hit his 50th home run during the Mariners’ 9-6 victory over the San Diego Padres at T-Mobile Park. The home run came in the first inning after a 0-0 tie, with Raleigh batting right-handed and crushing a 93 mph fastball from Padres pitcher JP Sears, sending the ball 419 feet into the second deck. The 28-year-old Raleigh is now the eighth player in MLB history to reach 50 home runs before the end of August. He becomes the second Mariners player to achieve this milestone, following Ken Griffey Jr., who did so twice in 1997 and 1998. Raleigh’s performance also includes a third home run in his last two games, surpassing the previous record held by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez. With a .247 batting average, 107 RBI, and 14 stolen bases, Raleigh is set to continue his impressive hitting streak in the upcoming series against the Padres.