Cal Raleigh Breaks AL Combined Home Run Record with Historic 65-HR Season

Add another record to Cal Raleigh's historic season

The Seattle Mariners' star catcher Cal Raleigh etched his name further into baseball history by breaking Aaron Judge's American League home run record (combined regular season and postseason) when he hit his 65th homer in 2025 during Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. Raleigh's remarkable 2025 campaign has sparked a compelling AL MVP race against Judge while propelling the Mariners to the brink of their first World Series appearance.

• Cal Raleigh set a new American League record for most combined home runs in a season with 65, surpassing Aaron Judge's 64 in 2022.
• Raleigh's 60 regular season home runs broke records for a primary catcher, switch hitter, and Mariners franchise.
• In the 2025 postseason, Raleigh continued to excel, hitting five home runs over 12 games, including four in the ALCS.
• Seattle Mariners reached the ALCS for the first time since 2001, forcing a Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Despite Raleigh's heroics, the Blue Jays won the decisive Game 7, securing their first World Series appearance in 32 years.

Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking season

Cal Raleigh's 2025 season has been nothing short of historic. Leading Major League Baseball with 60 home runs in the regular season, Raleigh also ranked third in RBIs with 125 and had the fifth-best OPS of .948. Notably, his total home runs shattered multiple records: the most in a single season by a primary catcher, by a switch hitter, and by a Seattle Mariners player, surpassing legends like Ken Griffey Jr. and Mickey Mantle. While Raleigh narrowly fell short of Aaron Judge's regular-season AL home run record of 62, his combined total with the postseason caused him to eclipse Judge’s overall mark of 64 homers.

Raleigh's power surge has been pivotal in the Mariners’ resurgence. His performances in the postseason have been impressive, with a batting average of .302 and an OPS exceeding 1.000 by the time Game 7 of the ALCS arrived. As the Mariners vied for their first World Series berth in franchise history, Raleigh maintained his status as a clutch hitter.

The nail-biting ALCS Game 7

The American League Championship Series culminated in a thrilling Game 7 between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays on October 20, 2025. Early in the deciding game, Raleigh blasted a solo home run in the fifth inning, giving Seattle a 3-1 lead and extending his home run tally to a historic 65 for the season. This homer was a milestone that placed him fourth all-time in MLB single-year home run totals, tied with Mark McGwire’s 1999 season and trailing only Barry Bonds, McGwire, and Sammy Sosa in overall history.

In a key strategic moment in the seventh inning, Blue Jays manager John Schneider opted to issue an intentional walk to Raleigh even with the bases empty, a rare move signalling the degree of fear Raleigh inspired in opposing teams. Analysis indicated that while walking Raleigh carried risks, it was a close decision—because the next batter, Josh Naylor, presented a somewhat lesser but still significant threat, especially with a runner on base.

Despite this caution, the Blue Jays staged a dramatic comeback later in the same inning with George Springer hitting a decisive three-run homer, propelling Toronto to victory and into the World Series for the first time since 1993. Seattle’s bullpen, which had largely been relied upon to secure the win, was tested heavily in the late innings.

The AL MVP race heats up

The epic 2025 season has created an intense AL MVP race. Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, the 2022 AL MVP and a perennial star for the New York Yankees, are the frontrunners. Judge, who hit 62 HR in 2022 but only added two more in that postseason, now faces startling competition from Raleigh, whose combined regular and postseason totals have eclipsed Judge’s all-time American League record.

Raleigh’s achievement is particularly notable because he reached this power milestone without any associations with performance-enhancing drugs—a distinction that sets him apart from some of the historical players with massive home run totals.

Mariners' postseason journey and future prospects

Seattle’s path to the ALCS involved defeating the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, marking their first deep playoff run in over two decades. After taking the initial two games in the ALCS, the Mariners faced tough resistance as the Blue Jays fought back to force a winner-takes-all Game 7.

Although the Mariners fell just short of reaching their first World Series, the progress this season—anchored by Raleigh’s outstanding contributions—provides cause for optimism. Manager Dan Wilson and the team are already evaluating lessons from the near miss, with attention to pitching decisions and bullpen management highlighted by analysts.

Analysis of Game 7 pitching and strategy

Reviewing Game 7’s pitching performances revealed insights into both teams’ decision-making. Mariners starter George Kirby struggled in the third inning, allowing hard contact to key Blue Jays hitters such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero’s relentless offensive work earned him multiple hits including a home run, underscoring challenges for Seattle’s pitching staff. Mariners manager Dan Wilson’s willingness to pull starters early in trouble could shape future strategic adjustments.

On the other side, Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber benefitted from some luck in a prior ALCS start but faced tougher circumstances in Game 7. The bullpen usage by Toronto—especially after the Blue Jays' closer threw 35 pitches in the prior game—also impacted late-game outcomes. Mariners analysts and betting experts debated probable outcomes based on pitchers' performances and key individual matchups.

Final thoughts: A season for the ages

Cal Raleigh’s 2025 campaign stands as one of the most remarkable in baseball history. By surpassing Aaron Judge’s combined home run record and breaking multiple franchise and positional records, Raleigh has solidified his place amongst baseball’s elite. His contributions elevated the Mariners back into championship contention and sparked an exciting MVP race that will culminate with awards this November.

Though the Mariners fell just short of a historic World Series appearance, the foundation laid by Raleigh and his teammates promises to fuel Seattle’s ambitions in seasons to come. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Raleigh and the Mariners can convert this breakthrough into ultimate postseason success.

Questions and answers

Q: Cal Raleigh home run record 2025

A: In 2025, Cal Raleigh had an impressive season showcasing his power-hitting ability, but he did not set a new home run record. While Raleigh contributed significantly to his team's offense, the home run record for the Mariners or the league remained held by previous players. His performance continued to establish him as a key offensive player for Seattle.

Q: Seattle Mariners 2025 season highlights

A: The Seattle Mariners' 2025 season featured several standout moments including breakthrough performances from young talent and maintaining strong pitching rotations. The team made significant strides in competitiveness, showcasing resilience in tight games and key victories that energized the fanbase. Their efforts culminated in postseason contention, marking a promising step forward for the franchise.

Q: American League MVP race 2025

A: The 2025 American League MVP race was highly competitive, featuring top players who excelled both offensively and defensively throughout the season. Notable candidates included power hitters, consistent batters, and versatile contributors from several teams vying for the prestigious award. The final selection took into account overall impact, leadership, and statistical achievements during the season.

Q: Toronto Blue Jays World Series 2025

A: The Toronto Blue Jays made an impactful run in the 2025 World Series, demonstrating strong offensive and pitching performances. While they displayed resilience and skill, they fell short of capturing the championship title, facing tough competition in the finals. The experience, however, laid a solid foundation for future success and energized their fanbase.

Q: ALCS Game 7 recap and analysis

A: ALCS Game 7 in 2025 was a thrilling and tightly contested matchup that featured standout pitching and clutch hitting from both teams. The game showcased strategic managerial decisions and high-pressure moments that ultimately decided the American League pennant winner. The winning team advanced to the World Series, with the game being remembered for its intensity and dramatic finish.

Key Entities

Cal Raleigh: Cal Raleigh is a professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his power hitting and defensive skills, he has become a key player for the Mariners' lineup.

Seattle Mariners: The Seattle Mariners are a Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. They compete in the American League West division and have produced notable players such as Cal Raleigh and Dan Wilson.

Aaron Judge: Aaron Judge is a prominent MLB outfielder for the New York Yankees, recognized for his impressive power-hitting abilities. He is one of the league's leading home run hitters and a multiple-time All-Star.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Toronto Blue Jays are a Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the American League East division and have a history of strong offensive talent and playoff appearances.

Dan Wilson: Dan Wilson is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played primarily for the Seattle Mariners. After retiring, he has been involved in coaching and broadcasting within the Mariners organization.

External articles

• Mariners' Cal Raleigh Makes History, Breaks Yankees Star ...
• Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh breaks one last HR record
• Cal Raleigh #29 - Seattle Mariners

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YouTube Video

Title: Cal Raleigh HOMER 💪 #alcs #mariners #MLB #baseball #mlbplayoffs #homerun
URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E-1eTUfOj_M