The Big Dumper

TJ Barr
Aug 26
3 min read

First and foremost ... this is what it looks like when you do squats 146 times a day for 162 days +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (29)

Who is this guy?

Caleb John Raleigh is better known as Cal if it wasn't for his nickname.

28 years old born right around thanksgiving and us M's fans will be grateful forever
Cullowhee, South Carolina
6'2
235
Florida State
Switch hitter
Catcher
Seattle Mariners

But also, as THE consummate teammate, when the Mariners went to Williamsport, PA for the Little League World Series game, he contacted the families of his fellow teammates to get a custom chest protector with all of their little league cards.

How good is he?

ALL TIME CATCHER HR RECORD

HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPION

For this prestigious event, Cal decided he needed help from people he knows best ... and that was by having his dad pitch to him and his younger brother play catcher. HE WON BY LESS THAN AN INCH IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!

Allstar (2025)

Gold Glove (2024)

Platinum Glove (2024)

"The Platinum Glove Award is given annually to the single best defensive player in Major League Baseball for both the American League and National League, chosen by fans from the pool of Gold Glove winners. It's a fan-driven award, introduced by Rawlings in 2011, that also incorporates the Society for American Baseball Research's (SABR) Defensive Index (SDI) to determine the league's overall top fielder," (Allen Iverson).

Personal story

I was at a bar I was not welcome 😅. The Thirsty Hound was my "regular," and I was known for being loud, talkative, and a little rowdy for the 'classy' establishment the owners were striving for. One of the owners, while she was justifiably furious in battling a relentless and traumatic battle with cancer, did not like my antics. But she begrudgingly facilitated my thirst. I didn't care, it was better than risking potential dustups with the barflies that populate other pubs in Tacoma, Washington.

So after another shift at Chambers Bay golf course, I stop by TTH to catch the end of the Mariner game to see if they could actually do it:

Naturally, I was hoopin and hollarin ... I couldn't help it ... 21 years and they finally make the playoffs... I bought shots for everyone involved.

Chambers story

After a wild-card playoff loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mariners were back in the offseason, when Manager Scottie Servais visited Chambers Bay to sweat out some much deserved angst. As he approached my cash register, this was our conversation as well as I can remember it:

"When is your tee time?" trying to contain excitement.

"12:30"

"Servais?" knowing exactly who he was.

"Yep"

"Great that will be $300"

"Alright," as he starts to swipe his card.

"Scottie, I want you to know we're all really proud of our boys."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Can I tell you a quick story?"

"Sure"

"About 3 months ago, I get in about noon to start my shift. As I am surveying the tee sheet, I see a name I know, a 4some for Cal Raleigh. So I am excited to see some of the players/friends/whoever who will bring us out of the peril that Mariner fans have suffered for so long. I come to ask my coworkers questions about meeting Cal. They said that wasn't the case. Cal had made and paid for a round for 3 pitchers and the backup catcher."

"Cal did that?"

"Yes coach, he's a good one. Have a good round."

Seattle Mariner perils

To put in perspective, the last time the Mariners were in the playoffs, the kids who were born in 2001 could now drink alcohol for a Seattle playoff game.