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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