With one week to go in the MLB regular season, the race for the playoffs isn’t the only thing fans are watching. Cal Raleigh keeps mashing majestic homers, and the former Florida State baseball star has a shot at surpassing 60 and chasing down the AL record.
“The Big Dumper” has already broken several records during his MVP campaign, standing alone on the list of catchers, switch hitters and Seattle Mariners. Barring an incredible last-minute run by Kyle Schwarber or Shohei Ohtani, Raleigh is going to league all of baseball in dingers. A catcher has only won the home run title three times before: Johnny Bench in 1970 and 1972, and Salvador Perez in 2021.
Only six players have ever belted more than 60 taters in a season, and the Home Run Derby champ has six games to hit four more to tie Aaron Judge for the AL record. Doing so might be enough to make him the second FSU alum to win MVP honors, joining Buster Posey in 2012.
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We’re monitoring the former Seminole’s home run pace over the rest of the season. Here’s everything you need to know about Raleigh’s home run total and where he stands on his pursuit of history, as well as a look at the upcoming Mariners schedule, including how to watch:
How many home runs does Cal Raleigh have?
Entering play Sept. 23, Cal Raleigh has 58 home runs over 153 games, leading the majors. His most recent homer came in the second inning Sept. 21 off Houston Astros pitcher Jason Alexander. The day before, he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners single-season home run record.
What is MLB home run record?
Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants set the record in 2001 with 73 home runs. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees holds the American League record with 62 homers in 2022.
Why is Cal Raleigh called the Big Dumper?
It’s simple: He’s got a big butt. The nickname came from Jarred Kelenic when the two were Mariners prospects practicing with the big-league club during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. As Raleigh explained with Mookie Betts in an episode of “On Base,” Kelenic responded to the catcher’s call-up to the majors in 2021 with “Big dumper to the show,” and fellow players and fans thought it was hilarious.
Raleigh has taken it all in good humor, appearing in comedic Mariners Commercials for “Big Dumper Trucking” and with the team marketing his platinum glove bobblehead from the reverse angle. His mom is less pleased with it, though.
Seattle Mariners schedule
Here’s a look at the upcoming games for Cal Raleigh and the Mariners. All times Eastern:
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Will Cal Raleigh break Aaron Judge’s home run record? Tracking former FSU baseball star
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
