Cal Raleigh not focused on trying for another 60-homer season in Seattle
The spring training season is well underway, and one player who is already making headlines is Cal Raleigh, the switch-hitting catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Despite hitting an impressive 60 home runs last year, Raleigh is not putting pressure on himself to replicate that feat this season.
In a recent exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox, Raleigh showcased his power by hitting a 427-foot home run. This was his first home run of the spring season, and it came in just his third game. However, Raleigh remains humble and focused on consistency rather than chasing records.
In an interview with Seattle Sports, Raleigh addressed the expectations surrounding his performance, stating, “I think the elephant in the room is 60 home runs. That’s not something I’m setting out to do. To me, I’m just trying to be as consistent as possible, trying to do what I did last year.”
Last season, Raleigh’s 60 home runs set a new MLB record for a player primarily playing as a catcher. He also racked up an impressive 125 RBIs and finished second in the American League MVP voting, just behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Both Raleigh and Judge are gearing up to represent Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Judge, a three-time AL MVP winner, set the league record with 62 home runs in 2022. Raleigh and Judge are among the elite group of players who have achieved a 60-homer season, with only seven players in history reaching this milestone. Notably, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are the only players to accomplish this feat in consecutive seasons, with Sosa achieving a third 60-homer season in 2001.
As Raleigh continues to impress on the field, fans are eager to see what the future holds for this talented catcher. With the World Baseball Classic on the horizon, Raleigh will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage alongside some of the game’s biggest stars.
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