Cal Raleigh’s historic home run pace is the talk of Major League Baseball.
The Seattle Mariners star and MVP candidate has already made history by slugging the most first-half home runs by a catcher with 32.
However, when Drew Linder and Raleigh text or talk, the conversation between the two former Florida State roommates often steers away from baseball.
“He cares so much about his family and circle of friends,” said Linder, hired as the Seminoles’ director of baseball operations in 2024 and a former bullpen catcher at FSU. “He’s a special guy.”
Raleigh, 28, belted his major-league leading 32nd home run in the ninth inning of the Mariners’ 11-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday, June 23.
It was also his fourth straight game with a home run and sixth home run in six games.
Cal Raleigh keeps hitting home runs, keeps setting records
While Raleigh’s home run streak was snapped in Seattle’s 6-5 win at Minnesota on Tuesday, June 24, he is on a pace to hit 40 home runs before the All-Star break (July 14-17). That would surpass the record of 39 by Barry Bonds during the 2001 season, when Bonds finished with a single-season record 73.
With each swing for the fence, the switch-hitting Raleigh sets a record.
He has already passed Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for the most home runs by a primary catcher before the All-Star break. He has at least 10 home runs in each of the last three months, setting a Mariners record and an MLB record for a catcher. He’s also on pace to shatter the single-season record for most home runs hit by a catcher, held by Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (48 in 2021).
Raleigh was humbled by his historic feat last Friday at Wrigley Field, where he belted two home runs (his 28th and 29th) to surpass Bench. Chants of “MVP” were audible in the visitor’s park.
“Any time you’re mentioned even in the same sentence as one of the best — if not the best — to ever do it is obviously a special, special thing,” Raleigh told MLB.com. “So I’m just very grateful.”
Raleigh was chosen American League Player of the Week after he hit .417 with 5 homers and 12 RBIs in six games last week. The North Carolina native needs three more homers to match Ken Griffey Jr. for the most before the All-Star break in Mariners history.
Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million contract with Seattle this spring,
Linder is proud of his good friend, who hit 32 career home runs at FSU (2016-18).
“He’s handled everything like a pro and it’s great to see because he deserves it,” Linder said. “The insightfulness he brings to the field and to the game is so valuable. And it’s not just for himself. What he wants to do every day is impact the people around him.
“He’s a student of the game – now he’s the one teaching the game.”
In the latest MLB All-Star voting released by the league Monday, June 23, Raleigh remains the leader to start for the American League at catcher in the game on July 15 at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Raleigh has 1,901,389 votes, well ahead of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk (757,659).
Raleigh could be the first Mariners player to start an All-Star Game since designated hitter Nelson Cruz in 2015.
“Cal was always the type to be incredibly determined to figure things out to help himself progress,” former FSU head coach and assistant Mike Martin Jr. said. “He improved every year in college and is continuing that in the MLB. He will be a perennial All-Star and possible Hall of Famer.
“And that couldn’t happen to a better human being.”
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former FSU catcher Cal Raleigh could eclipse 60 home runs with Mariners