Seattle – At the very moment when all eyes in baseball were on the 2025 record board, Seattle Mariners catcher and switch-hitter Cal Raleigh was officially a “finalist” for the most prestigious title: the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) American League MVP (AL MVP).
At 28 years old, Raleigh didn’t just play well — he made history. According to MLB’s official announcement, his 2025 season included: .247 AVG with 147 hits in 596 at-bats, 110 runs, 24 doubles, 60 home runs, 125 RBI, and 14 stolen bases; .359 OBP, .589 slugging, .948 OPS.
Those numbers put him in an extremely rare group: the seventh player in MLB history to hit “60+ home runs in a season.”
But that’s not all – he also broke three important records:
The Mariners’ own record for home runs in a season, surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.’s 56 from 1997/98.
The switch-hitter record of 60 home runs, surpassing Mickey Mantle’s 54 in 1961.
The record for most home runs by a catcher in a season – surpassing Salvador Pérez’s 48 (2021).
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Raleigh is a strong contender for MVP.
Raleigh isn’t a rookie – but his 2025 season is a huge leap forward. He finished 18th in 2023 and 12th in 2024 in the AL MVP voting.
His inclusion in the top three of the MVP list this time around – and the first for the Mariners since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 – puts him in the position of an “icon in the making”.
The Mariners community, which has long lacked a true “global representative”, now has Raleigh.
While the massive 60 home runs speaks to his ability, the feeling of watching Raleigh rise through the ranks is a story of passion, perseverance and the will to overcome. He is a catcher – the position considered the most difficult to break through in terms of offensive output – and a switch-hitter, something that is rare at the highest level.
His home runs not only help the Mariners win games, but also inspire hope in millions of fans that the team can “rise”, not just “wait”.
MVP candidate—but not yet the winner. The official results will be announced live on MLB Network on Thursday, November 13.
And that means: more promise, more pressure. Raleigh and the Mariners now have to not only maintain their form—they have to exceed expectations.
If he wins: it will be a mark of the “Raleigh era.”
If he loses: it is still the beginning—and the journey must continue.
Cal Raleigh is not just having a great season—he is setting a new standard for himself, for the catcher position, and for the Mariners.
At a time when every major league team is looking for a superstar, the Mariners have Raleigh. And in a world where MVP awards can change the direction of an organization, just being in the top three is a big win.
Stay tuned until November 13 – because it’s not just about awards, it’s about defining an “icon” in baseball.
Raleigh made a big statement with his 60th home run – now he awaits his biggest spotlight yet.
This isn’t just a season – this is a statement.
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