Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is tipping his cap to franchise great Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh is a home run machine this season.

On the heels of being named the American League starter at catcher in the All-Star Game later this month, Cal Raleigh was named as the American League Player of the Month for June,

Two weeks ago, Raleigh hit his 29th homer, surpassing Johnny Bench's mark for the most ever by a catcher before the All-Star break. With his 30th home run, he became the first switch-hitter to reach that total before the season's halfway point. Raleigh has hit 22 home runs as a right-handed batter this season adding 12 as a left-hander.