KANSAS CITY — Whether he steps into the batter’s box on the right or left side of home plate, Cal Raleigh will stand alone in the records of Major League Baseball.
When Raleigh, who was batting left-handed, smashed his 55th homer of the season — a towering solo homer to right field off right-hander Michael Wacha in Tuesday’s game vs. the Royals at Kauffman Stadium — he surpassed Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle’s record for the most home runs in a season by a switch-hitter.
The chants of “MVP! MVP!” could heard throughout the Royals home ballpark as Raleigh rounded the bases.
His MVP case might have actually been made in bottom of the second, when Logan Gilbert bounced a pitch to Jac Caglione that bounced up and struck Raleigh in the throat. Irritated and in obvious pain, Raleigh didn’t come out of the game and homered to start the next inning.
Mantle, the childhood hero for an entire generation now in their 60s and 70s, hit 54 homers in the same magical 1961 season where his teammate Roger Maris hit 61 homers to surpass the longstanding record of 60 held by Babe Ruth.
Mantle has long been considered the greatest switch-hitter in MLB history. It’s a reputation that Raleigh recognized through the teachings of his father, Todd. But Mantle has some company now.
But Raleigh wasn’t done.
In his next plate appearance, batting right-handed against lefty Daniel Lynch IV, Raleigh smashed a first-pitch changeup over the wall in center field for homer No. 56 on the season.
That blast tied him with Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners’ record for most homers in a season. Griffey hit 56 in 1997 and 1998.
It was also the fifth time in his career Raleigh has hit a homer from each side of the plate.
The MVP chants grew a little louder on Raleigh’s second trip around the bases.
With 11 games remaining in the season, breaking Griffey’s record seems to be a given. But how far can he go? Could he reach 60? Is Aaron Judge’s AL record of 62 homers in a season within reach?
It’s impossible to put limitations on anything that Raleigh is doing this season. Big Dumper? More like Big Dominance.
Raleigh’s historic season has been one of many milestones that includes setting the record of most homers in a season by a catcher (49), most homers in a season while playing catcher (43), first switch hitter with at least 20 from each side of the plate and now the most by a switch-hitter.
Raleigh is also attempting to become the first Mariners player to lead all of MLB in home runs and also the first catcher to lead league in homers since Johnny Bench did it in 1970 with 45.