Houston – Cal Raleigh broke the franchise record in a season by Ken Griffey Jr. for the circuits with his 57th Saturday evening while the Seattle Mariners receiver moves within 60 years – a milestone that few players have reached.
Griffey struck 56 circuits during the 1997 season, and again in 1998, as part of a curriculum vitae which earned him an almost unanimous election in the temple of baseball renown in 2016. Due to his historic stature and the general difficulty of hitting the circuits in the native naval park, it was not a question of knowing if someone would tackle the Bilan of the Griffey.
“This is a strange thing to think,” said Raleigh after the match, a 6-4 mariners’ victory. “I don’t really do it – I can’t really understand it or wrap my head really. So … very grateful for that and it’s just weird to be in the same sentence with him for sure.”
The brand of Griffey is the third Raleigh broken up during its one year assault against the record; He also has the most circuits by a receiver and a switch in a season. If it arrives at 60 circuits, Raleigh will only be the seventh player to reach the course of the history of the MLB.
At the top of the third round, Raleigh was not at the bottom of the bullets and two strikes against the left -hander of Astros Framer Valdez. Rather than throwing grounds out of the area, Valdez tried to sneak a quick ball in the outside corner. Raleigh, striking on the right, leaned over the plate and crushed a high journey towards the right field which easily cleaned the enclosure of the astros.
“We saw him hitting fairly epic circuits and to go in the opposite direction to this part of the stadium on the right, which was really well touched,” said manager Dan Wilson. “And just another important step for him. Amazing season.”
It was the 18th Raleigh circuit of the season on a land on the third party from the plate, second plus in baseball.
As always, Raleigh jogging regularly around the bases, showing little emotion, and after having embraced Eugenio Suarez and trampled in joyful teammates in the canoe, he smiled slightly while he was putting the team trident.
Raleigh said he was in contact with Griffey quite often this season, but had not yet heard of him on Saturday evening.
“He stood his hand a few times,” said Raleigh. “He also went to T-Mobile several times, so he is great. A super good guy, always fun to be in the clubhouse … And I’m sure he will have something to say here after.”
In 1927, Babe Ruth became the first player to reach 60 circuits, a record held for 34 years, until Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle threatened the brand in 1961. On the last day of the regular season, Maris broke the Ruth record – although a special designation was attached to the Maris brand, which occurred in a 162 game calendar. Ruth had played a 154 -game calendar.
In 1998, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa competed for the husband’s record in a pursuit that captured the imagination of baseball fans. Although both overshadowed 61 circuits, McGwire set the record with 70, which was broken when Barry Bonds hit 73 circuits in 2001. Aaron judge exceeded the American league record in 2022 with 62 circuits.
Now Raleigh continues 60 circuits and could threaten the judge’s brand with seven games to play in the naval calendar. Raleigh is also in competition against the judge for the AL MVP price.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
