Most home runs before All-Star break: Cal Raleigh breaks Johnny Bench's catcher record – USA Today

It’s not every day a player is able to break a long-standing record held by a Baseball Hall of Famer.
But that’s just what Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh did on Friday, June 20 at Wrigley Field, breaking Hall of Famer Johnny Bench’s record for most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break.
Raleigh, who is currently slated to start the Midsummer Classic for the American League based on recent voting, hit two home runs to break Bench’s 1970 record of 28 home runs in the Mariners’ 9-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Mariners’ catcher also recorded the mark in fewer games than Bench; Raleigh did it in 73 games compared to Bench’s 87.
“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 said of the feat after the game. “So I’m just very grateful.”
Raleigh tied Bench’s record in the top of the first inning with a two-out, solo home run to left center field to give the Mariners an early 1-0 lead.
Then came the big shot for “Big Dumper” in the seventh inning. On a 1-1 pitch against Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar, Raleigh sent one out of “The Friendly Confines” and onto Waveland Avenue for a go-ahead, two-run home run.
It marked Raleigh’s sixth multi-homer game of the season and increased his MLB-leading home run total to 29. On the afternoon, Raleigh finished 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, three runs scored, two home runs and a walk.
“I love watching him hit, seeing him go the other way while trying to get guys in from second and third. I love watching him throw, and unlike some guys you see, he’s not afraid to throw. I love watching him call a game. I love watching him drive in runs,” Bench recently told USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale.
“I love watching everything he does, it’s just so impressive.”
Raleigh’s big day at Wrigley also put him in the same company as a former Seattle great. According to the team’s commuications department, Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is the only Mariner to hit more home runs than Raleigh before the All-Star break. Griffey Jr. hit a franchise best 35 home runs before the 1998 All-Star break, one of three seasons that he has hit at least 30 home runs in the first half of the year.
Per MLB.com, Raleigh is on pace for 63 homers this season, which would surpass Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez’s 2021 record for most home runs in a single season by a primary catcher (48).
The Mariners moved to 38-36 overall on the season with their win over the Cubs.
(This story was updated with new information)
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