SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ catcher, is delivering one of the most remarkable all-around seasons in baseball history.
Cal Raleigh is achieving an extraordinary season as a catcher, showcasing both elite offense and defense.
- Raleigh is on pace to challenge single-season records for catchers and switch-hitters.
- He earned a Gold Glove last season for his defensive prowess.
- His unique nickname, “Big Dumper,” has become a marketing phenomenon.
- Raleigh overcame early-career struggles to become a team hero.
A Catcher’s Defining Season
Consider the “Big Dumper.” Scruffy, ruddy, built like a truck, with large hands and a legendary posterior that aids his squatting prowess. Rarely has a catcher garnered as much attention as Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. Coming into the latter part of the season, Raleigh is producing one of the most astounding all-around performances ever. Before the All-Star break, Raleigh had already hit 38 home runs.
He was on track to break the single-season record for home runs by a catcher and needed just 17 more to surpass Mickey Mantle’s single-season record for a switch-hitter. He was also projected to break Ken Griffey Jr.’s single-season home run record for a Mariner. He had already surpassed his own previous season high, hitting more home runs than Aaron Judge.
More Than Just a Power Hitter
Raleigh’s impact extends far beyond his offensive numbers. He plays one of baseball’s most demanding positions and excels at it. A great catcher anchors the pitching rotation, deceives umpires, outsmarts batters, controls runners and makes split-second decisions. Last season, Raleigh won a Gold Glove and led all catchers in games and innings behind the plate. He also led the league in caught-stealing percentage and was a top performer in pitch framing and defensive runs saved, all while managing an injury-plagued rotation.
From Obscurity to Icon
The catcher position is often behind the scenes, masked and padded, largely out of view. Raleigh, by all accounts, would be content with anonymity. Aaron Judge is baseball’s celebrated folk hero. Raleigh, conversely, appears more suited for a casual beer league. However, his striking physique, particularly his well-known backside, has made anonymity impossible.
The Origin of “Big Dumper”
The nickname was coined by teammate Jarred Kelenic during Raleigh’s minor league days. Kelenic publicized the moniker when Raleigh joined the majors, tweeting, “Big Dumper to the show.” Raleigh initially seemed unenthused by the ribbing, though he had his own fun in the minors, dubbing himself and teammate Keegan McGovern the “Beef Boys” and even writing an anthem.
His parents, who owned a screen-printing business in North Carolina, created T-shirts with the slogan “100% Pure Beef: No Added Steroids or Fillers.” Raleigh, the 90th pick in the 2018 draft, was then finding his footing. Scouts initially doubted he could maintain his catching role or switch-hitting. Despite early struggles in Modesto, his determination, work ethic, and quick learning, aided by a hitting coach’s advice on his swing, led to a power surge.
Raleigh faced further challenges upon reaching the majors. In 2021, his batting average dipped below .200, and early in the 2022 season, he was batting .083. Sent back to the minors, he was recalled about a week later due to an injury to the usual starter, where he rediscovered his swing. By the end of the 2022 season, he hit a walk-off home run on a full count, sending the Mariners to the postseason for the first time in two decades. “The Big Dumper” had become a Seattle hero.
A Marketer’s Dream
Raleigh’s rise was the stuff of childhood dreams, and his nickname became a marketer’s goldmine for the Mariners. The team capitalized by selling jerseys with “Big Dumper” and even infant onesies. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Raleigh’s walk-up music featured an all-booty playlist, including Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.” Fans were encouraged to email [email protected] for help with relationship issues. The team’s social media account even humorously offered the “Big Dumper’s” services in relation to a CEO’s public personal life.
Before the All-Star Game, the team rallied support with the slogan “Be a peach, vote Cal! 🍑”. Following the game, Raleigh announced a partnership with Honey Bucket, a portable toilet company.
Derby Champion and All-Star
Raleigh also won the Home Run Derby, with his father pitching and younger brother catching. He started the All-Star Game and narrowly missed a second hit when his line drive was slickly caught by Kyle Tucker. Clayton Kershaw humorously responded, “Suck it, Big Dumper.”
Catchers understand the razor-thin margins of the game. Raleigh himself nearly exited the derby in the first round before winning it. His performance underscores that moments of struggle can be followed by triumph. Beyond the derby, the Mariners’ clubhouse attendants recently awarded him the Golden Locker award for his impeccable organization.
While Raleigh’s current pace is unlikely to be sustained due to the demands on catchers and the statistical concept of regression, his performance is a testament to possibility. In July, leading up to the All-Star break, his batting average was .135, with all his hits being home runs. But setting aside forecasts and enjoying the present, Raleigh makes the seemingly impossible, like breaking Mickey Mantle’s records or the Mariners contending, feel like a reality.
