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 in MLB for his power hitting, all-around catching ability, and skill as a switch hitter.

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Full Timeline

1970: Johnny Bench's home run record

On June 20, 2025, Cal Raleigh surpassed Johnny Bench's record of 28 home runs before the All-Star break, which Bench set in 1970.

1988: Todd Raleigh played for Western Carolina

In 1988, Cal Raleigh's father, Todd Raleigh, played college baseball as a catcher for Western Carolina.

1991: Todd Raleigh played for Western Carolina

In 1991, Cal Raleigh's father, Todd Raleigh, was a catcher for Western Carolina, completing his time there from 1988-1991.

1992: Matt Raleigh played Minor League Baseball

In 1992, Cal Raleigh's uncle, Matt, began his career as a minor league infielder.

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

In 2025, Cal Raleigh became the first switch hitter to win the derby outright, the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999

November 26, 1996: Caleb Raleigh's Birth

On November 26, 1996, Caleb John Raleigh, later nicknamed "Big Dumper," was born. He became an American professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners, known as an elite power threat, all-around catcher, and switch hitter.

1998: Tied for Third Most Home Runs

At the end of June 2025, Cal 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: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Home Run Derby Win

In 2025, Cal Raleigh became the first switch hitter to win the derby outright, the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999

1998: Alex Rodriguez's Home Run Record

In 2025, Cal Raleigh matched Alex Rodriguez's 1998 record of reaching 20 homers by the end of May.

1998: Tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s Record

On July 4, 2025, Cal Raleigh tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1998 record for most homers in franchise history before the All-Star break.

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

In 2025, Cal Raleigh became the first switch hitter to win the derby outright, the first Mariner to win the derby since Ken Griffey Jr. did so three times in 1994, 1998, and 1999

2000: Matt Raleigh ended career in Minor League Baseball

In 2000, Cal Raleigh's uncle, Matt, ended his career as a minor league infielder, after playing from 1992-2000.

2001: Trailed Only Barry Bonds in Home Runs

At the end of June 2025, Cal Raleigh trailed only Barry Bonds, who had 39 in 2001, for most home runs in June.

2001: Mariners' Postseason Appearance

In 2022, Cal Raleigh helped the Mariners clinch their first postseason appearance since 2001.

2001: Fastest to 30 Home Runs

On June 21, 2025, Cal Raleigh became the fastest player to reach 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzales in 2001.

2016: Freshman All-American Honors at FSU

In 2016, while playing college baseball for the FSU Seminoles, Cal Raleigh started all but one game and hit .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. He also played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Harwich Mariners, but struggled with a .204 batting average that summer.

2017: Dramatic Hits in 2017

In 2017, Cal 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 Seattle Mariners

In 2018, Cal Raleigh was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round, with the 90th overall pick, of the Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with the Mariners for 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 Stats at FSU in 2018

In 2018, during his final year at FSU, Cal Raleigh had a strong performance, slashing .326/.447/.583 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 62 games.

2019: California League All-Star

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

December 2020: Graduated from FSU

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

2020: Alternate Training Site

In 2020, Cal Raleigh practiced and scrimmaged at the Mariners' alternate training site in Tacoma, but did not play in a game because the minor league baseball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Big Dumper nickname originated

In 2020, Cal Raleigh's nickname "Big Dumper" was created and popularized by former teammate Jarred Kelenic.

July 11, 2021: MLB Debut

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

2021: Performance with Tacoma Rainiers

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

2021: Big Dumper nickname tweeted

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

2022: Mariners' Postseason Appearance

In 2022, Cal Raleigh hit a pinch-hit, walk-off home run on September 30th against the Athletics to clinch the Mariners' first postseason appearance since 2001, ending the longest active playoff drought in major North American sports. He hit 27 home runs, leading all MLB catchers. He was a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards finalist.

May 15, 2023: Home Runs from Both Sides of the Plate

On May 15, 2023, Cal 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 a Broken Tooth

On April 23, 2024, Cal Raleigh broke a tooth biting down on a sandwich but still hit a home run in that night's game against the Texas Rangers. He later had oral surgery.

June 13, 2024: Head shaved at Buhner Buzz Cut promotion

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

2024: Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Awards

In 2024, Cal 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 Mariners

On March 25, 2025, Cal 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: Player of the Month Award

In June 2025, Cal Raleigh was named the American League Player of the Month after slashing .300/.398/.690 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs. By the end of June, he reached 33 home runs, tying him for third place for the most home runs in Major League history through June with Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa in 1998.

July 11, 2025: Grand Slam and AL Record

On July 11, 2025, Cal Raleigh hit two home runs against the Detroit Tigers, with the second being a grand slam, bringing 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: 2025 Home Run Derby

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

2025: First All-Star Selection and Home Run Derby Win

In 2025, Cal Raleigh earned his first All-Star selection and became the first catcher in MLB history to win the Home Run Derby.

2025: Home Run Derby Win and Other Milestones

In 2025, Cal Raleigh won the Home Run Derby, becoming the first switch hitter to win outright and the first Mariner since Ken Griffey Jr.. He also tied Griffey for the 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.