Why Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is called the Big Dumper

Billy Heyen

Why Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is called the Big Dumper image

It was already the best nickname in baseball.

It just came into the spotlight a lot more during the 2025 MLB season.

That's right: We're talking about Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who is known as Big Dumper.

Raleigh and that nickname had a historic season. He blasted 60 home runs, which set a new single-season record for catchers, and for switch-hitters, and for a Mariners player.

And now the Mariners are chasing a World Series title.

So here's a quick look back at how Big Dumper became Big Dumper.

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Why is Cal Raleigh called the Big Dumper?

A former Mariners minor league teammate of Raleigh's, Jarred Kelenic, gave Raleigh the moniker "Big Dumper" because he has a large backside.

Yep. It's that simple.

The Mariners have even embraced the nickname with a bobblehead that exaggerates Raleigh's rear features.

Raleigh also told GQ that fans present him the bobblehead with a specific hope for an autograph:

“Whenever someone wants me to sign a bobblehead, they want me to do it on the butt,” he said. 

Does Cal Raleigh like his nickname?

Older stories about Raleigh's nickname indicate he wasn't a big fan at first.

But this season, he definitely embraced it. 

When given the chance at All-Star Weekend and then Player's Weekend, Raleigh got specialty gear that included his nickname on it.

When things are going well, everything sounds that much better.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle