Cal Raleigh did it again.
The Seattle Mariners’ superstar catcher, affectionately known as the Big Dumper, seized his moment in ALCS Game 7.
In the top of the fifth, Raleigh leaned on one and launched it high, far and gone to deep right field in Toronto.
The home run gave the Mariners a 3-1 lead with a spot in the World Series on the line.
Almost as notably, it also made Raleigh an American League record holder.
Raleigh has now hit 65 home runs since opening day. He had 60 in the regular season, and now has hit five in the postseason.
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That breaks the old AL record held by Aaron Judge.
When Judge hit his 62 homers in the regular season, he added two in the postseason, for 64 between the regular season and playoffs.
Raleigh entered Monday night tied with that combined number.
On one swing, he broke Judge’s record.
This isn’t a number talked about much at all. It’s being recognized as a way to boost Raleigh, but of course it’s dependent on how long a team sticks around in the playoffs.
But the best thing Raleigh can do is deliver in the games his team is playing in. He has done that in these playoffs, and it’s helped the Mariners be on the verge of their first-ever appearance in the World Series.
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