‘Big Dumper’ gets big close-up: Yankees broadcast leans into Cal Raleigh’s nickname
Jul 9, 2025, 1:03 PM | Updated: 1:38 pm
Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners reacts on base after a hit. (Photo: Cole Burston, Getty Images)
(Photo: Cole Burston, Getty Images)
The Yankees’ broadcast gave viewers a prolonged close-up of Major League Baseball’s current American League (AL) home run leader, Cal Raleigh’s rear end, Tuesday night.
During the first game of the Seattle Mariners series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx, a sixth-inning walk from Raleigh prompted the Yankee broadcast to provide full coverage of Cal’s hindquarters as he stood on first base.
Cal Raleigh’s ‘Big Dumper’ nickname sparks Yankees reaction
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The longtime Yankees broadcaster, Michael Kay, delved into the origin story of Raleigh’s famous “Big Dumper” nickname, as camera operators leaned into the bit, capturing a shot that was solely dedicated to Raleigh’s butt.
“His minor league teammates gave [Raleigh] the nickname ‘Big Dumper’ because he has a pretty large posterior, and he did not like it,” Kay said. “His former teammate Jarred Kelenic said [Raleigh] hated it.”
As Kay continued to detail that former Mariner outfielder, Jarred Kelenic, initially created the nickname, the view of Raleigh’s buttocks grew larger and larger.
The Yankees broadcast made it very clear why everyone calls Cal Raleigh 鈥淏ig Dumper鈥�
鈥� Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports)
“We’re getting a close-up!” Yankees color commentator Paul O’Neill said.
“I don’t know if we need that guys, goodness!” Kay responded.
Throughout Kay and O’Neill’s exchange, the Yankees’ camera operators continued to pan in and out on Raleigh’s behind.
“We don’t miss a thing here, Michael,” O’Neill said.
“I truly hope that our brilliant director is done with that shot, we’ve seen it, we know why he has the nickname, we are good,” Kay said.
Kay goes on to explain that the “Big Dumper” nickname is so beloved in Seattle that fans have purchased jerseys featuring the edgy nickname.
Cal Raleigh’s MLB All-Star debut
Raleigh continued his home run surge with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, passing Mariners Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs hit before the All-Star break in mid-July.
The matchup between the Mariners and Yankees featured two of the AL home run leaders, Aaron Judge (34) of the Yankees, and Raleigh (36), who both hit home runs in the 10-3 loss for the Mariners.
Raleigh was named the AL starting catcher for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 15, at 5 p.m., and Raleigh will also appear in the Home Run Derby on July 14.
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