Cal Raleigh Joins 60 Home Run Club as Mariners Clinch First AL West Title Since 2001 Following 9-2 Victory over Rockies

The Seattle Mariners clinched their first AL West title in over 24 years as Cal Raleigh joined the 60-home run club on Wednesday.

Cal Raleigh Joins 60 Home Run Club as Mariners Clinch First AL West Title Since 2001 Following 9-2 Victory over Rockies

Cal Raleigh (Image via MLB)

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It was a night of celebration at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday in Seattle. Cal Raleigh joined the 60 home run club as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Colorado Rockies 9-2 to clinch their first AL West title since 2001.

Raleigh, the frontrunner of the American League MVP award this year, has been a huge destructive force in the offense of the Mariners. The 2025 Home Run Derby champion slammed two home runs in his team’s huge win.

The switch-hitting catcher and designated hitter (DH) was 2-for-4 when he came up to bat in the 8th inning. Large chants of “MVP” would echo around the stadium as he prepared for his at-bat. He would then connect on a 98 mph pitch from Angel Chivilli and sent the ball flying into the stands for the second time in the game.

Raleigh’s 60th home run saw him join an exclusive club. He became just the 7th player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a regular season. The other members in this incredible list are Sammy Sosa (1998, 1999, and 2001), Mark McGwire (1998 and 1999), Barry Bonds (2001), Roger Maris (1961), Babe Ruth (1927), and Aaron Judge (2022).

Chants of “MVP” were in full force after his 60th home run. He would later receive a curtain call from the fans.

With the win, the Mariners also clinched the division. It marked their first AL West division title since their triumph in 2001, where they won 116 games in the regular season.

In 2022, Raleigh hit a walk-off home run against the Athletics which ended their playoff drought. His 2 home run performance on Wednesday has now led them to their first division title in over 24 years.

Cal Raleigh left emotional following 60th home run of 2025 season

At the start of the season, very few would have imagined Cal Raleigh as the 2025 home run leader. The Seattle Mariners star has been on a roll this year. After smashing his 60th home run of the season on Wednesday, the catcher was left emotional.

Cal Raleigh
Cal Raleigh (Image via Yardbarker)

While speaking with ROOT Sports after the game, the 28-year-old expressed gratitude towards the fans and the city of Seattle. He would sound a bit emotional while making his feelings known.

I mean, I don’t know what to say. I’m just so happy. I love this team. I love the city. I love my parents. Thank you for being here. I’m so happy for our guys. We’re going to celebrate tonight and, you know, like I said, we’re not done yet.

Cal Raleigh said

Raleigh is now just 2 home runs from matching another historic feat. He needs 2 home runs more from his remaining 4 games to match the American League record for the most home runs in a regular season. Aaron Judge currently holds that record at 62.

MLB insider labels Cal Raleigh as AL MVP ahead of Aaron Judge

The race for the American League MVP in 2025 has come down to Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge. While there have been several debates regarding this topic, an MLB insider labeled Raleigh as the MVP of this year ahead of Judge following the historic night in Seattle.

Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge
Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge (Image via TSN)

While taking to his X account, insider Ben Verlander praised the efforts of the catcher. As his 60th home run came on the day when the Mariners won the AL West title, the former Detroit Tigers star boldly expressed that there is no world where he was not the MVP.

Cal Raleigh hit his 60th HR of the season on the same night the Seattle Mariners won their first division title since 2001. There’s not a world in which this man isn’t the Most Valuable Player. It’s over. That’s a wrap. Big Dumper is your 2025 AL MVP.

Ben Verlander on X

There is still time for the MVP to be announced. Judge is the reigning AL MVP, having won this award in 2024 following another strong showing with the New York Yankees. The outfielder is hoping to go back-to-back and claim his 3rd honor.

Meanwhile, Raleigh is looking for his first MVP award. If he wins it, he would become the third Mariners star after Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki to claim his honor.

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