In an era when baseball’s biggest sluggers are identified by names like Judge and Ohtani, Cal Raleigh has emerged as the sport’s biggest power threat.
The Seattle Mariners star tied a record Aug. 24 for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher when he clubbed his 48th round-tripper, matching the mark set by Kansas City Royals backstop Salvador Perez in 2021. He would go on to set a new record in the same game when he hit his 49th homer.
On Aug. 25, he blasted his 50th dinger, putting him four home runs shy of the record for most in a season by a switch-hitter, owned by New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle.
Raleigh, who won this year’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby during the All-Star break in Atlanta, is also the only player to hit at least 20 home runs from each side of the plate in the same season and joins Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners players to reach 50 home runs in a season, according to MLB.com.
Raleigh, nicknamed “Big Dumper,” may not be done rewriting the record books this season, either. He could shatter the American League mark for home runs in a season, 62, set by Aaron Judge in 2022. In fact, the American League record for home runs in a season has been owned by a Yankee each year dating back to 1920.
Raleigh’s efforts this season have helped the Mariners as they battle the Houston Astros for the American League West title while holding a wild card spot. It’s also placed him squarely in the conversation for the AL Most Valuable Player award.
Has Cal Raleigh Always Hit So Many Home Runs?
Raleigh’s power surge is not totally unexpected. He first appeared in the majors when he debuted with the Mariners in 2021 and has increased his home run total each season.
He hit two as a rookie in 2021 before following that with 27 in 2022. In 2023, he launched 30 home runs and then hit 34 last season.
Where Did Cal Raleigh Come From?
Raleigh’s birth name is Caleb John Raleigh. He lives in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva, North Carolina, in 2015, according to his MLB.com bio. He played collegiately at traditional baseball powerhouse Florida State University from 2016 until 2018.
The Mariners drafted Raleigh in the third round of the 2018 draft. His father, Todd Raleigh Sr., served as head coach for the baseball teams at Western Carolina University and the University of Tennessee.
Why Is Cal Raleigh Nicknamed ‘Big Dumper’?
From “The Big Hurt” to “The Big Unit,” there are thousands of memorable nicknames throughout the history of Major League Baseball. Raleigh is known as “Big Dumper,” a reference to his rather well-portioned keester.
Raleigh says former teammate Jarred Kelenic gave him the moniker.
“He started it. Obviously, it comes from my butt. I’ve always had a large butt. It’s a blessing and a curse, I guess,” he told Fox Sports in July.
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