Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Nicknamed “Big Damper” Surprises Fans
Things took an unexpected turn on Tuesday night.
Folks watching the Yankees’ YES Network during their 10-3 win in Seattle might have caught on to an amusing tidbit. The broadcast confirmed that Cal Raleigh, a star for the Mariners, is affectionately known as “Big Damper.” It’s kind of funny how nicknames stick.
Michael Kay, during the game, explained, “They have a pretty big backrest, so they gave him the nickname ‘Big Damper.'” This came up while Raleigh was on base, and the Yankees were in the midst of a mound visit, giving the team a chance to delve into this nickname and what it implies.
Meanwhile, the YES Network kept the mood light with close-up shots of Raleigh that led to a few chuckles. “We’re getting a close-up!” Paul O’Neill exclaimed, unable to hold back his laughter.
“I don’t know if that’s necessary,” Kay chimed in, seemingly bemused. But the camera zoomed in again and again—a total of three close-ups in just 40 seconds. O’Neill quipped, “We haven’t missed anything here, Michael,” still chuckling.
As it happens, Raleigh has gained quite a following in Seattle, and Kay noted on-air that the player wasn’t initially thrilled with the light-hearted connotation of his nickname. Yet, “Big Damper” seems to have stuck around.
Speaking with GQ Sports, Raleigh remarked, “It’s a damper, it’s a big dump that’s thrown away; everyone has a small version of themselves. That’s what I was doing now.” It’s an odd way to describe it, but it highlights the playful spirit behind it.
In a fun twist, Kay pointed out that the Mariners are selling Raleigh jerseys under the nickname rather than his last name. “In the stadium, we see ‘Big Damper’ jerseys more than Raleigh’s jerseys,” Raleigh said in the interview. “Apparently, they’re sold out due to popular demand. Someone even brought a jersey to me the other day and mentioned there are no adult sizes left.” It seems people are really getting into it.
Despite the light-hearted banter about his nickname, Raleigh’s performance on the field is truly impressive. He’s currently second in home runs in MLB, trailing only Aaron Judge, with an OPS of 1.029. At just 36 home runs, he’s really making his mark this season.
