Cal Raleigh continues to absolutely cook, and some are even now starting on history watch.
The Seattle Mariners star catcher Raleigh was at it again during Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. Raleigh opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run homer off Pittsburgh’s Bailey Falter. He then followed that up with a solo shot off Falter in the sixth inning to give himself 35 total home runs on the year (which is already a career-high for Raleigh).
CAL RALEIGH AGAIN!!!
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2025
A CAREER-HIGH 35 HOMERS FOR BIG DUMPER pic.twitter.com/yowhkV25vk
Everyone on X said the same thing in reaction to Raleigh’s big day at the dish — that Barry Bonds’ single-season record for home runs might just be in danger.
he might actually break Bonds’ record
— Kershaw 3000 Ks Season (@Bookie_Metts05) July 4, 2025
barry bonds is in trouble
— Seppi (@SeppiWorld) July 4, 2025
Look out Barry bonds
— CHRISTIAN YELICH IS BACK (@Saquon_szn_) July 4, 2025
Barry bonds you are NOT safe
— spoon (MARINERS2PURGATORY) (@clears_spoon) July 4, 2025
With 35 dingers, Raleigh is already tied for the fifth-most home runs ever hit by a player before the All-Star break. Even more remarkable is that the Mariners still have eight games left to play before this season’s break.
The legendary seven-time MVP Bonds currently holds the record for most homers before the All-Star break with 39 in 2001. Bonds also owns the record for most home runs in a single season overall with 73 in 2002 (a season in which he had a modest 27 home runs before the break).
Raleigh’s first-half power surge has been staggering for any player, but especially so for a catcher. With 74 games still left to play for Seattle, Raleigh is already within striking distance of Salvador Perez’s record for most homers by a catcher in a season (48 in 2021). Though Raleigh will also need a fantastic second half of the season to get anywhere even close to Bonds’ record, he is playing with an incredible amount of confidence right now and is showing no signs of slowing down.
