It’s not every day that a Major League Baseball player becomes as well known for his backside as he is for his bat—but that’s exactly what’s happening with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.
And yes, he’s fully leaning into it.
Raleigh’s explosive season at the plate has been making headlines, but so has the nickname that follows him everywhere he goes: “Big Dumper.”
The Bronx Broadcast That Turned Heads… and Cameras
During a recent matchup between the Mariners and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, viewers tuning into the YES Network got a little more than they bargained for.
As broadcasters Michael Kay and Paul O’Neill chatted about Raleigh’s not-so-subtle nickname, the cameras couldn’t stop zooming in on the man’s behind.
“His minor league teammates gave him the nickname ‘Big Dumper’ because he’s got a pretty large posterior,” Kay explained during the broadcast.
“And he did not like it. His teammate Jarred Kelenic said he hated it. Hated it!”
O’Neill added with a laugh, “We’re getting a close-up!” as the camera fixated awkwardly on Raleigh’s backside, circling and zooming with comedic precision.
A Mix of Amusement and Mild Panic in the Booth
Kay, clearly not thrilled with the director’s creative decisions, tried to redirect the focus. “I don’t know if we need that, guys.
Goodness!” he said, while O’Neill doubled down: “We don’t miss a thing here, Michael.”
As the camera stayed glued to Raleigh’s rear, Kay continued—half joking, half begging: “Paul, I truly hope our brilliant director, Dan Barr, is done with that shot.”
“We’ve seen it,” Kay added. “We know why the nickname is the nickname… and we’re good. We’re good.”
Nickname Goes From Dugout Joke to Merch Stand Favorite
Raleigh may not have liked the nickname at first, but he’s clearly embraced it now.
The Mariners have started selling jerseys with “Big Dumper” on the back, and fans are eating it up.
What started as a locker room joke has now become part of Raleigh’s brand—and judging by the attention, it’s working.
A Monster Season Behind the Plate
Nickname aside, Raleigh’s numbers this season are no joke.
He currently leads the league with 36 home runs and ranks second in RBIs with 76.
Even in a tough 10-3 loss to the Yankees, he crushed his 36th homer of the year—staying just ahead of Aaron Judge, who trails him with 34 dingers.
That home run race is heating up, and with another Mariners-Yankees clash on deck, all eyes will be on both sluggers—though in Raleigh’s case, a few might still be on his backside.
