Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh surpassed legendary Johnny Bench for most homers before the All-Star break by a primary catcher when he hit two against the Chicago Cubs in Friday’s 9-4 victory.

Raleigh has 29 homers to break a record that stood for 55 years. Hall of Famer Bench hit 28 in 87 games as the Cincinnati Reds’ primary catcher before the 1970 All-Star break. Raleigh has passed that mark in just 73 games.

Raleigh was honored to have his name associated with Bench, considered one of the top catchers in the history of the sport.

“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. “So I’m just very grateful.”

Raleigh said he met Bench last November at a Gold Glove Award ceremony in New York. He said a big part of their discussion revolved around durability.

Raleigh, 28, has missed just one of Seattle’s 74 games this season. In addition to his major-league-leading homer total, Raleigh has 63 RBIs and a .273 average.

He established career bests of 34 homers and 100 RBIs last season.

Raleigh is in position to make a run at Salvador Perez’s single-season homer record for a primary catcher. Perez slammed 48 in 2021.

Raleigh hit a solo homer in the first and a two-run shot in the seventh on Friday.

–Field Level Media