History of Cal Raleigh in Timeline

Caleb John Raleigh, known as "Big Dumper", is a professional baseball catcher and designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners. He's recognized in MLB as a top power hitter, a well-rounded catcher, and an effective switch-hitter.

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Full Timeline

1970: Johnny Bench sets record.

In 1970, Johnny Bench set the record with 28 home runs in 87 games.

1988: Todd Raleigh at Western Carolina

From 1988 to 1991, Todd Raleigh, Cal Raleigh's father, was a catcher for Western Carolina.

1991: Todd Raleigh at Western Carolina

From 1988 to 1991, Todd Raleigh, Cal Raleigh's father, was a catcher for Western Carolina.

1992: Matt Raleigh's Minor League Career

From 1992 to 2000, Matt Raleigh, Cal Raleigh's uncle, was a minor league infielder after playing alongside Todd at Western Carolina.

1994: Griffey Reaches 20 Homers

In 1994, Ken Griffey Jr. became a Mariner to have reached 20 homers by the end of May.

1994: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Derby Win

In 1994, Ken Griffey Jr. won the Home Run Derby. Cal Raleigh is the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999.

November 26, 1996: Caleb John Raleigh Born

On November 26, 1996, Caleb John Raleigh, later nicknamed "Big Dumper," was born. He is an American professional baseball catcher and designated hitter.

1997: Griffey Reaches 20 Homers Again

In 1997, Ken Griffey Jr. became a Mariner to have reached 20 homers by the end of May.

1998: Griffey and Sammy Sosa Home Run Race

At the end of June, Raleigh reached 33 home runs, putting him in a three-way tie for third place for the most home runs in Major League history through June with Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa in 1998.

1998: Rodriguez Reaches 20 Homers

In 1998, Alex Rodriguez became a Mariner to have reached 20 homers by the end of May.

1998: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Derby Win

In 1998, Ken Griffey Jr. won the Home Run Derby. Cal Raleigh is the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999.

1998: Griffey's Homers Before All-Star Break

On July 4, Raleigh hit two home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he set a new single-season career high of 35 homers in 61 fewer games. With his second homer, he tied Ken Griffey Jr. (1998) for most homers in franchise history before the All-Star break.

1999: Griffey Reaches 20 Homers Again

In 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. became a Mariner to have reached 20 homers by the end of May.

1999: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Derby Win

In 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. won the Home Run Derby. Cal Raleigh is the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999.

2000: Matt Raleigh's Minor League Career

From 1992 to 2000, Matt Raleigh, Cal Raleigh's uncle, was a minor league infielder after playing alongside Todd at Western Carolina.

2001: Mariners Last Postseason Appearance

2022 was the first time that the mariners had made a postseason apperance since 2001.

2001: Bonds Home Run Record

At the end of June, Raleigh reached 33 home runs, trailing only Barry Bonds with 39 in 2001 and Mark McGwire with 37 in 1998.

2001: Bonds and Gonzales Hit 30 Homers

In 2001, Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales became the fastest player to 30 home runs in a season.

2003: Javy Lopez's Record

In 2003, Javy Lopez set the single season record for home runs while playing catcher. In 2025, Cal Raleigh surpassed that record.

2016: Freshman All-American Honors

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: Key Hits in 2017 Season

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.

2018: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners

In 2018, Raleigh was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Mariners, receiving an $854,000 signing bonus, and made his professional debut 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, Raleigh's final year at Florida State University (FSU), he slashed .326/.447/.583 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 62 games.

2019: California League All-Star and Promotion to Double-A

In 2019, Raleigh started with the High-A Modesto Nuts, where he was named a California League All-Star before being promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers in mid-July. He finished the season with a .251/.323/.497 slash line, 29 home runs, and 82 RBIs in 121 games.

2020: Alternate Training Site

In 2020, Raleigh practiced and scrimmaged at the Mariners' alternate training site in Tacoma, as the minor league baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 11, 2021: MLB Debut

On July 11, 2021, Raleigh was promoted to the major leagues and made his MLB debut, starting at catcher against the Los Angeles Angels. He struck out twice in four hitless at bats.

2021: Start of Season with Tacoma Rainiers

In 2021, Raleigh started the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, hitting .324/.377/.608 with nine home runs in 44 games.

2022: Mariners' Postseason Appearance

In 2022, on September 30, Raleigh hit a walk-off home run to clinch the Mariners' first postseason appearance since 2001.

May 15, 2023: Homers 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, hitting his home runs in consecutive plate appearances.

April 23, 2024: Home Run with Broken Tooth

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

2024: First Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Award

In 2024, Raleigh received his first Gold Glove Award and won the American League Platinum Glove Award, which is given 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 $20 million vesting player option with a $2 million buyout.

June 2025: American League Player of the Month

In June 2025, Raleigh was named the American League Player of the Month, after slashing .300/.398/.690 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs on the month. This was Raleigh's first Player of the Month award.

July 11, 2025: AL Record for Most Home Runs Before All-Star Break

On July 11, 2025, in a game against the Detroit Tigers, Raleigh hit two home runs—his 37th and 38th of the season. The second was a grand slam and brought him within one home run of Barry Bonds' all-time MLB record of 39 home runs before the All-Star break. With those two home runs, Raleigh set the AL record for most home runs before the All-Star Break.

July 14, 2025: Todd Jr. catches for Cal in Home Run Derby

On July 14, 2025, Todd Jr., Raleigh's younger brother, served as the catcher for Cal in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

2025: Home Run Derby Win and Record-Breaking Season

In 2025, Cal Raleigh had a remarkable season. He announced his participation in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, inviting his father Todd to pitch and brother Todd Jr. to catch. Raleigh won the Home Run Derby, becoming the first switch hitter to win it outright and the first Mariner since Ken Griffey Jr. He tied Griffey's record for most homers in a player's first five seasons, and became the first catcher and switch-hitter to hit 40 home runs before the end of July. He surpassed Mickey Mantle with the most multi-homer games by a switch-hitter and Ken Griffey Jr. for most multi-homer games in a season in Mariner's history. Raleigh also became the first primary catcher to hit 50 home runs in a season and the second Mariner after Ken Griffey Jr., being the first player to hit 20 home runs from each side of the plate in a season. He tied Mickey Mantle's record for most home runs by a switch-hitter, and passed Javy Lopez's single season record for home runs while playing catcher. Finally, he broke Mantle's record and tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s record for most home runs in a season for a Seattle Mariner.

2025: All-Star Selection and Home Run Record

In 2025, Raleigh earned his first All-Star selection, became the first catcher in MLB history to win the Home Run Derby, broke the record for the most home runs in a season by a primary catcher and a switch hitter, and became the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a season.

2025: Record-Breaking Regular Season

In the 2025 regular season, Cal Raleigh achieved a .247/.359/.589 slash line, setting new career highs with 147 hits, 110 runs scored, 24 doubles, and 14 stolen bases across 159 games. He led the American League with 125 RBI and led the Major Leagues with 60 home runs in 2025.