History of Cal Raleigh in Timeline

Caleb John Raleigh, also known as "Big Dumper", is a professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He plays in MLB. Raleigh is recognized for his power hitting abilities, his overall skills as a catcher, and his ability to switch hit.

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Full Timeline

1961: Tying Mickey Mantle's Record

On September 14, 2025, Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle's 1961 record for most home runs by a switch hitter. That homer was also Raleigh's 43rd home run this season while playing catcher, passing Javy Lopez in 2003 for the single-season record.

1970: Breaking Johnny Bench's Record

On June 20, 2025, Raleigh hit his 28th and 29th home runs against the Chicago Cubs. With his performance, Raleigh passed Johnny Bench's record, set in 1970, for the most home runs by a primary catcher before the All-Star break.

1988: Todd Raleigh at Western Carolina

In 1988, Cal Raleigh's father, Todd Raleigh, was a catcher for Western Carolina.

1991: Todd Raleigh at Western Carolina

In 1991, Cal Raleigh's father, Todd Raleigh, was a catcher for Western Carolina.

1994: Ken Griffey Jr's Home Run Season

In 2025, Raleigh matched Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1994 season for most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break.

November 26, 1996: Caleb John Raleigh Born

On November 26, 1996, Caleb John Raleigh, later nicknamed "Big Dumper", was born. He would go on to become a professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners.

1997: Ken Griffey Jr's Home Run Season

In 2025, Raleigh matched Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1997 season for most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break.

1998: Tied for Third-Most Home Runs in MLB History Through June with Griffey and Sammy Sosa in 1998

At the end of June 2025, Raleigh had 33 home runs, tied for the third-most home runs in major league history through June with Griffey and Sammy Sosa in 1998, trailing only Barry Bonds with 39 in 2001 and Mark McGwire with 37 in 1998.

1998: Alex Rodriguez's Home Run Season

In 2025, Raleigh matched Alex Rodriguez's 1998 season for most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break.

1998: Griffey Wins Home Run Derby

In 2025, Raleigh won the Home Run Derby, becoming the second Mariner to win the derby (following Griffey, who won in 1994, 1998, and 1999).

1998: Matching Griffey's Home Run Record Before All-Star Break

On July 4, 2025, Raleigh matched Griffey's 1998 season for most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break.

1999: Ken Griffey Jr's Home Run Season

In 2025, Raleigh matched Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1999 season for most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break.

2001: Tied for Third-Most Home Runs in MLB History Through June with Griffey and Sammy Sosa in 1998

2001: Mariners First Postseason Appearance Since 2001

In 2022, Raleigh hit a walk-off home run to clinch the Mariners' first postseason appearance since 2001, ending the longest active playoff drought amongst the four major North American sports leagues.

2001: Fastest to 30 Home Runs Since 2001

On June 21, 2025, Raleigh became the first player to reach 30 home runs in the season and became the first catcher and switch hitter in MLB history to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break. He was also the fastest player to reach 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales in 2001.

2001: Clinching AL West Title Since 2001

On September 24, 2025, the Mariners clinched their first AL West title since 2001 after Raleigh reached his final total of 60 home runs, which led the majors.

2003: Passing Javy Lopez's Record

On September 14, 2025, Raleigh's 43rd home run this season while playing catcher, passing Javy Lopez in 2003 for the single-season record.

2016: Brody wins Little League World Series

In 2016, Cal Raleigh's cousin Brody won the Little League World Series.

2016: Freshman All-American at Florida State University

In 2016, Raleigh started all but one game for Florida State University (FSU), hitting .301 with a .412 on-base percentage. He was named a freshman All-American by Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, Louisville Slugger, and Perfect Game.

2017: Dramatic Hits in 2017

In 2017, Raleigh had several dramatic hits, including driving in the winning run in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, driving in the tying run in the Super Regional final against Sam Houston State, and hitting a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of a College World Series game against the LSU Tigers. However, he hit only .227 due to a left thumb injury.

2018: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners

In 2018, Raleigh was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round, with the 90th overall pick, of the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He signed with the Mariners, receiving an $854,000 signing bonus. He made his professional debut that summer with the Low-A Everett AquaSox, batting .288 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 38 games.

2018: Final Year at FSU

In 2018, during his final year at FSU, Raleigh slashed .326/.447/.583 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 62 games.

2019: All-Star and Double-A Promotion

In 2019, Raleigh started with the High-A Modesto Nuts, where he was named a California League All-Star. He was later promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. In 121 games for the two clubs, Raleigh slashed .251/.323/.497 with 29 home runs and 82 RBIs.

December 2020: Graduation from FSU

In December 2020, Cal Raleigh earned his degree in business entrepreneurship from FSU.

2020: Big Dumper nickname

In 2020, Jarred Kelenic started using the nickname "Big Dumper" for Cal Raleigh.

2020: Alternate Training Site

In 2020, Raleigh practiced and scrimmaged at the Mariners' alternate site in Tacoma, but did not play in a game because the Minor League Baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 11, 2021: MLB Debut

On July 11, 2021, Raleigh was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day, starting at catcher against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out twice in four hitless at bats.

2021: Big Dumper nickname goes viral

In 2021, Jarred Kelenic tweeted the nickname "Big Dumper" when Cal Raleigh was promoted to the Mariners.

2021: Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers

In 2021, Raleigh returned to Tacoma to start with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, hitting .324/.377/.608 with nine home runs in 44 games. He had a 23-game hitting streak.

2022: Struggles, Blossoming, and Postseason Clinch

In 2022, Raleigh initially struggled, but after being optioned down to Tacoma and returning, his bat blossomed, hitting .228 with an .854 OPS and 24 home runs the rest of the season. On September 30, Raleigh hit a walk-off home run to clinch the Mariners' first postseason appearance since 2001.

2022: ALCS Home Runs

In 2022, during Game 1 of the AL Championship Series (ALCS) against the Toronto Blue Jays, Cal Raleigh hit a game-tying home run off Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning. In Game 5, he hit another game-tying home run, contributing to a 6–2 victory for the Mariners. In Game 7, Raleigh hit his fifth home run of the postseason.

May 15, 2023: Switch-Hitting Home Run Feat at Fenway Park

On May 15, 2023, Raleigh became the first catcher to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game at Fenway Park, hitting his home runs in consecutive plate appearances.

April 23, 2024: Home Run Despite Broken Tooth

On April 23, 2024, Raleigh broke a tooth after biting down on a sandwich. Despite the severe pain, he hit a home run in that night's game against the Texas Rangers.

June 13, 2024: Buhner Buzz Cut

On June 13, 2024, Cal Raleigh had his head shaved by Mariner Hall of Famer Jay Buhner as part of the team's "Buhner Buzz Cut" promotion.

2024: Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Winner

In 2024, Raleigh won an American League (AL) Gold Glove Award and the Platinum Glove Award, which is awarded to the best defensive player in the league.

March 25, 2025: Contract Extension with the Mariners

On March 25, 2025, Raleigh and the Mariners agreed to a six-year, $105 million contract extension, with a seventh-year vesting player option worth $20 million, with a $2 million buyout.

2025: Cal and Todd Jr. at the Home Run Derby

In 2025, Cal Raleigh's younger brother, Todd Jr., served as the catcher for Cal in the Home Run Derby.

2025: All-Star, Home Run Derby Winner, and Record-Breaking Season

In 2025, Raleigh earned his first All-Star selection, became the first catcher and switch hitter to win the MLB Home Run Derby, broke the record for most home runs in a season by a catcher and switch hitter, became the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a season, and won multiple awards, including The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award, the Players Choice Awards for Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player, and the Baseball Digest Player of the Year Award.

2026: World Baseball Classic

In 2026, Cal Raleigh participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for the United States national team. He had notable interactions with teammates Randy Arozarena and Josh Naylor, including refusing a handshake and fist bump, respectively. He batted 0-for-9 in three games as the U.S. lost in the championship game to Venezuela.