Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Smashes Johnny Bench’s 54-Year Home Run Record in Cubs Rout

In a thrilling display of power at Wrigley Field, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh smashed his way into the history books, eclipsing a 54-year-old record set by Hall of Famer Johnny Bench during a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old slugger launched two home runs—his 28th and 29th of the season—setting a new benchmark for the most homers by a catcher before the All-Star break.

Raleigh’s record-tying blast came early, a first-inning rocket off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd’s 95-mph fastball that soared over the left-center field wall, giving Seattle a 1-0 edge. But it was his seventh-inning, two-run shot off reliever Caleb Thielbar—a 94-mph fastball crushed down the line—that sealed his place above Bench, securing a 6-4 lead and the record.

“Being mentioned alongside one of the greatest catchers ever? That’s something special,” Raleigh said, his humility shining through. “I’m just grateful to be out there swinging.”

Raleigh’s 29 homers lead all of Major League Baseball, and with a .273 batting average and 63 RBIs topping the American League, he’s cementing his status as a superstar. Remarkably, he broke Bench’s mark in just 73 games—14 fewer than Bench’s 87 in 1970—with 22 games still to go before the All-Star break.

The Mariners (38-36) face the Cubs (45-30) again Saturday at 2:20 p.m. ET, with Raleigh’s bat ready to make more history.