Cal Raleigh's Journey to 60 Home Runs
Introduction
In a historic 2025 season for the Seattle Mariners, slugger Cal Raleigh has just joined an elite club by hitting his 60th home run. This puts him in the same conversation as legends like Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds. But how did he get here? Let's take a closer look at the journey that led to this incredible milestone for the rising star.
The Road to 60
Raleigh's power at the plate has been on display all season long. He has been consistently launching balls over the fence and showing no signs of slowing down. But it's not just raw power that has gotten him to this point. His dedication to studying pitchers and making adjustments at the plate has also been a key factor in his success. And let's not forget the support and guidance from his teammates and coaches.
The Impact
Raleigh's 60th home run not only puts him in an elite club, but it also solidifies his place as one of the top hitters in the league. His impressive numbers have helped propel the Mariners to the top of their division and have them in the playoff hunt. But it's not just about individual accomplishments for Raleigh. He is focused on helping his team win and bring a championship to Seattle. With his 60th home run, he is one step closer to achieving that goal.
About the People Mentioned
Cal Raleigh
Cal Raleigh is a professional baseball catcher born on November 26, 1996, in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft after a notable collegiate career at Florida State University. During his time at Florida State, Raleigh earned numerous accolades, including being named a Second Team All-American in 2018 and a key player in the ACC Championship team that same year[6]. Raleigh made his professional debut in 2018 with the Low-A Everett AquaSox and progressed through the minor leagues, eventually making his MLB debut on July 11, 2021. Initially, he struggled at the major league level, but after a brief demotion to Triple-A in 2022, he returned to the Mariners and began to establish himself as a consistent contributor. A notable turning point in his career came on May 15, 2022, with a significant home run that marked a shift in his performance[4]. Currently, Cal Raleigh is an integral part of the Seattle Mariners, known for his power hitting and defensive skills. He has become a fan favorite, particularly for his memorable home runs. In the 2025 season, Raleigh achieved a historic milestone by hitting his 60th home run, marking a significant highlight in his career[5]. His performance has been crucial in the Mariners' postseason runs, where he has shown impressive batting statistics[2]. Raleigh's recent performances have made him a key figure in Seattle's baseball scene, with his contributions to the team's success being closely watched by fans and analysts alike. His ability to adapt and grow as a player has been a significant factor in his increasing relevance in the MLB.
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds, born July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California, is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) left fielder widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Bonds played 22 seasons in MLB, starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986–1992) and then the San Francisco Giants (1993–2007). Over his career, he amassed a .298 batting average, 762 home runs, 1,996 runs batted in (RBIs), and 514 stolen bases, making him the only player to reach both 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases[1][2][3][6]. Bonds holds several MLB records, including the most career home runs (762) and most home runs in a single season (73, set in 2001). He also leads in career walks (2,558) and had an exceptional on-base percentage and power hitting, combining a .444 on-base percentage with a .309 isolated power rating[2][5]. Bonds won seven National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001–2004), the most in MLB history, and was selected to 14 All-Star games. Defensively, he earned eight Gold Glove awards for his excellence as a left fielder[3][5]. After signing with the Giants as a free agent in 1993, Bonds became a central figure in their offense, contributing to the team reaching the World Series in 2002. Despite outstanding personal achievements, his career was shadowed by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, particularly after his personal trainer pleaded guilty in 2005 to steroid distribution. Bonds denied knowingly using steroids but was indicted for perjury related to these allegations[2][4]. Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run in 2007, surpassing Hank Aaron's career record. The Giants chose not to renew his contract after the 2007 season, effectively ending his playing career, although he never officially retired[2][4]. Post-retirement, Bonds has remained a prominent figure in baseball discussions and occasionally appears in Giants-related events.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Seattle Mariners
The **Seattle Mariners** are a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the American League (AL) West Division. Established as an expansion team in 1977, the Mariners initially played at the Kingdome before moving to their current home, T-Mobile Park, in 1999[1][3]. The team’s name reflects Seattle’s strong maritime heritage, and their colors—navy blue, northwest green (teal), and silver—have evolved since inception, symbolizing the Pacific Northwest[1]. The Mariners’ early years were challenging, marked by frequent losing seasons and instability. Notably, Seattle’s first major league team, the Seattle Pilots, only lasted one season (1969) before relocating due to financial troubles, which led to a lawsuit that eventually secured Seattle a new franchise—the Mariners—in the late 1970s[4][9]. The franchise struggled through the 1980s, but the late 1980s and 1990s saw a transformation driven by drafting and acquiring key players such as Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Jay Buhner, and Randy Johnson[6][9]. Seattle’s peak success came in the mid-1990s. The Mariners clinched their first playoff berth and division title in 1995, highlighted by Edgar Martínez’s iconic walk-off double against the New York Yankees that preserved baseball in Seattle[1][6]. They won a second division title in 1997 and returned to the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, with the latter season setting an American League record of 116 wins. Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki joined in 2001, further elevating the team’s profile[1][8]. However, the Mariners have struggled with postseason success, enduring a prolonged playoff drought from 2002 through the late 2010s, despite occasional bursts of competitive play. The team faced management and payroll challenge
