Talk about one of the most electric, under-the-radar storylines of this baseball season — and it’s not coming out of New York, L.A., or Atlanta. No, this time, it’s all about the Pacific Northwest and a catcher who’s rewriting the history books one towering blast at a time. Cal Raleigh, the Mariners’ slugging backstop, who’s not only smashing records for catchers but now has Mickey Mantle in his sights.
Raleigh Is Doing What Catchers Just Don’t Do
Cal Raleigh already owns the single-season home run record for catchers. That’s a massive achievement in its own right — we’re talking about a position known more for grit, bruises, and blocking balls in the dirt than moonshots over the wall. But here’s where it gets crazy: Raleigh’s now bearing down on Mantle’s switch-hitter record. Yep, the Mick — one of the most legendary names in baseball — hit 54 homers in that iconic 1961 season. And Raleigh’s not far behind. That’s not just a “hot streak.” That’s historic.
MVP Race Shifting as Judge Slides and Cal Raleigh Rises
But what makes this even juicier is the MVP conversation. Because while Aaron Judge has been in that conversation all year — and rightfully so — he’s been sidelined with injuries, and the Yankees have been tumbling down the standings like a team with no brakes. That’s not ideal when you’re trying to make a case for Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, Raleigh is just been showing up every night, not just crushing balls but calling games, framing pitches, throwing runners out, and doing all the gritty, behind-the-scenes work that rarely shows up on a stat sheet.
Defense, Durability, and Dominance Behind the Plate
And here’s the kicker: his positional value is off the charts. You want a guy who’s playing gold-glove caliber defense and chasing down one of the most hallowed offensive records in baseball? That’s MVP territory — period. Let’s be honest, folks: MVP isn’t just about the biggest bat or the flashiest name. It’s about impact. And right now, Cal Raleigh might just be the most impactful player in the American League. If he catches Mantle — and at this pace, he just might — the voters may not have much of a choice.
