Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has embraced his rather bizarre nickname highlighting his rather large rear end. Amid an elite season, the man they call ‘Big Dumper’ is attracting a storm of attention.
That was on display for the television viewing audience on the YES Network as the Mariners played the New York Yankees in The Bronx.
Michael Kay and Paul O’Neill, announcers for the official team broadcaster of the Yankees, were talking about Raleigh’s nickname while the camera continued to zoom in on him.
‘Now, his minor league teammates – I guess I agree with him – they gave him the nickname ‘Big Dumper’, because he has a pretty large posterior,’ Kay said. ‘And he did not like it. His former teammate Jarred Kelenic [the inventor of the nickname] said he hated it. Hated it!’
The camera continued to zoom in on Raleigh’s behind – which took Kay and O’Neill by surprise.
‘We’re getting a close-up!’ O’Neill joked before his on-air partner cut in.
The YES Network broadcast was discussing Cal Raleigh’s nickname: ‘Big Dumper’
Cameras on the broadcast then decided to spent considerable time zoomed in on his rear end
Raleigh (L) extended his lead over Aaron Judge (R) atop the league’s home run leaderboard
‘I don’t know if we need that, guys. Goodness!’ Kay protested.
O’Neill retorted, ‘We don’t miss a thing here Michael.’
Kay then continued discussing how the Mariners have taken to selling jersey’s with Raleigh’s No. 29 on the back as well as the ‘Big Dumper’ moniker.
But all the while, the camera only continued to zoom in and out and around Raleigh’s behind.
‘Paul, I truly hope that our brilliant director, Dan Barr, is done with that shot,’ Kay said, practically begging for the director to focus the cameras anywhere else.
‘You’ve had enough?’ O’Neill asked.
‘We’ve seen it,’ Kay answered. ‘We know why the nickname is the nickname, and we’re good. We’re good.’
Raleigh has been having a phenomenal season, raking a league-leading 36 home runs and a second-best mark of 76 RBI.
He hit that 36th home run last night in a 10-3 loss to the Yankees. In that same game, Aaron Judge – who is second to Raleigh in homers with 34 – hit a shot of his own to keep the pressure on.
The Yankees and Mariners meet again on Wednesday night.