History of Cal Raleigh in Timeline

Caleb John Raleigh, known as "Big Dumper", is a professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is recognized as one of the top power hitters and all-around catchers in MLB, excelling as a switch hitter.

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Full Timeline

1961: Tying Mickey Mantle's Record

On September 14, Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle's 1961 record for most home runs by a switch hitter.

1970: Johnny Bench's Home Run Record

In 1970, Johnny Bench set the record for the most home runs by a primary catcher before the All-Star break.

1994: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Record

Ken Griffey Jr. hit 20 home runs by the end of May in 1994.

1994: Griffey wins Home Run Derby

Ken Griffey won the Home Run Derby in 1994.

November 26, 1996: Caleb John Raleigh Born

On November 26, 1996, Caleb John Raleigh, later nicknamed "Big Dumper", was born. He became an American professional baseball catcher known for being an elite power hitter and switch hitter in MLB.

1997: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Record

Ken Griffey Jr. hit 20 home runs by the end of May in 1997.

1998: Alex Rodriguez's Home Run Record

Alex Rodriguez hit 20 home runs by the end of May in 1998.

1998: Griffey and Sammy Sosa's Home Run Record

In 1998, Ken Griffey and Sammy Sosa were among those tied for the third-most home runs in major league history through June.

1998: Griffey wins Home Run Derby

Ken Griffey won the Home Run Derby in 1998.

1998: Matching Griffey's Record

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

1999: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Record

Ken Griffey Jr. hit 20 home runs by the end of May in 1999.

1999: Griffey wins Home Run Derby

Ken Griffey won the Home Run Derby in 1999.

2001: Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales Fast Start

In 2001, Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales were the fastest players to reach 30 home runs in a season.

2001: Barry Bonds' Home Run Record

In 2001, Barry Bonds had the most home runs in major league history through June with 39.

2001: Mariners Clinch AL West Title

On September 24, 2025, the Mariners clinched their first AL West title since 2001.

2001: Clinching First Postseason Appearance Since 2001

On September 30, 2022, Raleigh hit a walk-off home run to clinch the Mariners' first postseason appearance since 2001, ending the longest active playoff drought amongst major North American sports leagues.

2003: Passing Javy Lopez

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

2016: Cousin Brody Wins Little League World Series

In 2016, Raleigh's cousin, Brody, won the Little League World Series. Brody is an outfielder at Western Carolina and is the son of Raleigh's uncle Matt.

2016: Freshman All-American Honors

In 2016, after committing to Clemson, Raleigh played college baseball for Florida State University (FSU). He started almost every game and had a .301 batting average and 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. He hit only .227 in his sophomore season while dealing with a left thumb injury.

2018: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2018

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. Raleigh 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

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

2019: California League All-Star in 2019

In 2019, Raleigh started the season 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 mid-July. In 121 games for the two clubs, Raleigh slashed .251/.323/.497 with 29 home runs and 82 RBIs.

December 2020: Earns Business Entrepreneurship Degree

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

2020: Season Cancelled Due to COVID-19

In 2020, Raleigh practiced 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.

2020: Big Dumper Nickname Popularized

In 2020, the nickname "Big Dumper" for Cal Raleigh, referring to his large butt, was popularized by former teammate Jarred Kelenic.

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, making his MLB debut that day as a catcher against the Los Angeles Angels.

2021: Kelenic Tweets "Big Dumper" Nickname

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

2021: Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in 2021

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

2022: Struggles and Successes in 2022

In 2022, Raleigh initially struggled but then blossomed, hitting .228 with an .854 OPS and 24 home runs for the rest of the season.

May 15, 2023: First Catcher to Homer from Both Sides 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.

April 23, 2024: Home Run After Breaking Tooth

On April 23, 2024, Raleigh broke a tooth biting into a sandwich but still managed to hit a home run in that night's game against the Texas Rangers.

June 13, 2024: Raleigh Receives Buhner Buzz Cut

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

2024: AL Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Awards

In 2024, Raleigh won an American League (AL) Gold Glove Award and the Platinum Glove Award, recognized as the league's best defensive player.

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.

2025: Todd Raleigh Jr. Catches for Cal in Home Run Derby

In 2025, Cal Raleigh's younger brother, Todd Jr., served as the catcher for Cal in the Home Run Derby. Todd Jr. is also a switch-hitting catcher, like Cal.

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

In 2025, Raleigh earned his first All-Star selection, won the MLB Home Run Derby as the first catcher and switch hitter to do so, 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, and the Baseball Digest Player of the Year Award.

2026: Controversy with Randy Arozarena at World Baseball Classic

In 2026, during game 3 of the World Baseball Classic versus Mexico, Cal Raleigh was involved in a controversy after refusing to shake hands with Randy Arozarena, a Mariners teammate playing for the Mexico national baseball team. Raleigh was cursed out by Arozarena post-game.