Bobblehead giveaways at Major League Baseball ballparks league-wide are certainly nothing new these days. The way the Seattle Mariners are celebrating one for their star catcher, Cal Raleigh, is definitely unique, however.
Somebody should try to get to the bottom of the Mariners’ latest promotional giveaway: a Raleigh-inspired “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead.
You heard us. A “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead. We’ll explain a little further in a minute.
In the meantime, enjoy the fact that the Seattle organization chose to celebrate the new bobblehead with a reference to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s ode to the derriere, “Baby Got Back.”
“OMG Becky, look at that bobblehead,” they wrote on X.
If that wasn’t on the nose enough, they showed an image of the bobblehead with Raleigh crouched down in the catcher’s squatting position … from behind.
omg Becky, look at that bobblehead
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 3, 2025
🎟️ https://t.co/bpRba3Cjxn pic.twitter.com/t7D6zY3ygp
Cal Raleigh – The ‘Big Dumper’
The “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead refers to Cal Raleigh’s nickname, “Big Dumper,” which was given to him by Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic, a former teammate.
Why? I’ll be honest: When I first researched this, I was terrified to find out the answer to that question.
Turns out, it was a playful jab at Raleigh’s prominent backside that took off when Kelenic tweeted it during his teammate’s MLB call-up in 2021.
The Athletic reported on the name – and Raleigh’s “size 37 waist/45 hip pants” – pointing out that the catcher was initially hesitant to accept the nickname.
And yet, Raleigh grew to embrace the moniker as it gained traction among fans. They were even heard chanting it and sporting “Big Dumper” gear during the 2022 playoffs. They sell those shirts in the team merch store!
The nickname has become a testament to his rising popularity as one of the best defensive catchers in the game.
Big dumper to the show🥺 https://t.co/ZnlVceNP3W
— Jarred Kelenic (@jarredkelenic) July 11, 2021
Why a Platinum Dumper?
You may be asking, ‘What makes the platinum portion of the “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead?’
Is it because he sold a certain number of “Big Dumper Sings the Classics” albums so as to be certified platinum? We wish.
Nay, it’s more than likely a reference to the fact that Cal Raleigh took home the Platinum Glove Award last season, an honor handed out to the best defensive player in each league.
Which is nice, of course, but it’s no “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead. I mean, that is probably only a notch or two below a World Series ring on the list of honors Major Leaguers strive to attain.
Raleigh is off to a slow start this season, getting just three hits in 24 at-bats, though one of those hits was a home run in a 9-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
He and the Mariners will look to get things going against the San Francisco Giants later this afternoon.
The “Platinum Dumper” bobblehead, meanwhile, is set to be handed out on August 8th when Seattle takes on the New York Mets. The first 20,000 fans through the gates at T-Mobile Park will snag this quirky collectible.
