Cal Raleigh, the powerful switch-hitting catcher for the Seattle Mariners, isn’t just known for his clutch home runs and strong defense—he’s also a voice of quiet determination and leadership. Nicknamed “Big Dumper” for his formidable frame and even more formidable presence behind the plate, Raleigh has become a symbol of resilience, grit, and passion in the Mariners clubhouse.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up some of Cal Raleigh’s most memorable quotes, along with insights into what they reveal about his approach to baseball, leadership, and pressure moments.
1. “You’ve got to believe in yourself before anyone else will.”
This quote encapsulates Raleigh’s quiet self-confidence. As a catcher navigating one of the most demanding roles in baseball, confidence isn’t optional—it’s survival. Cal’s belief in himself helped him push through struggles early in his career to become a cornerstone of Seattle’s lineup.
2. “When the lights are brightest, I want to be the one at the plate.”
Raleigh thrives in high-pressure moments, and this quote is a perfect example of that mindset. His walk-off home run that sent the Mariners to the playoffs in 2022 was a testament to his clutch gene. This is a player who doesn’t shy away from the big stage—he demands it.
3. “It’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”
Baseball is a long, grinding season, and Raleigh’s consistency behind the plate reflects this philosophy. Whether it’s managing a struggling pitching staff or battling through slumps at the plate, Cal brings a blue-collar mentality to the field every day.
4. “I play for this city. I play for these fans.”
This quote reflects his deep connection to Seattle. In a time when many athletes are seen as detached, Raleigh has embraced his role as a team leader and a fan favorite. His humility and hard work resonate with the Pacific Northwest.
5. “Catching is about more than blocking balls—it’s about leadership.”
This speaks to his understanding of the role of a catcher as a field general. Raleigh doesn’t just catch pitches; he sets the tone for the team, manages pitchers, and maintains game tempo. His leadership behind the scenes is as important as his power bat.
6. “You’re going to fail. A lot. The trick is not letting it define you.”
Spoken like a true baseball veteran, this quote sums up the mental game of baseball. Raleigh’s perspective on failure—and how to learn from it—shows wisdom beyond his years.
More Cal Raleigh Quotes
“I wanted to stay here because of the connection with the people of the Pacific Northwest and the Seattle Mariners, but I know it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. I feel blessed that the Mariners gave me this opportunity and I can’t think of a better place in MLB to call home.”
“This place has always felt like home since I arrived here in Seattle. They took me in from day one with kindness and respect and it is one of the top places to play in professional sports.”
“We have a great nucleus of players here and aren’t far off from bringing the World Series to Seattle.”
“It won’t be easy but I believe ownership and management share the same vision and commitment. I won’t stop working and I won’t stop grinding until this city gets what it deserves, and that is a perennial playoff team and a World Series Championship.”
“Mom, I love you so much! Thank you for all of the sacrifice!” (written on his mom’s jersey)
“Say it in the pamp, in the wamp, I’m the champ. I’m the home run derby champ.” (after winning the Home Run Derby)
“It was probably the coolest moment in my life. Honestly.” (on his playoff-clinching walk-off home run)
“It wasn’t a great pitch to swing at, and I swung at it. So I kind of got rewarded for swinging at a bad pitch, but that’s kind of how baseball is sometimes. You’ve just got to put the ball in play. Probably not the right way to do it there, but we take what we can get.” (on a walk-off RBI)
“I don’t know if it was a bad throw or the ball popped out, but I remember we kind of got a lucky break there. But it’s a part of the game. You’ve got to make clean plays. You’ve got to play clean defense, especially in this league. Mistakes will really show up, and guys will take advantage.” (on a walk-off RBI)
“I know a lot of guys have beef with him in the league. His comments aren’t surprising, and I don’t have much to say. If you don’t have anything nice, don’t say it at all I guess, if you don’t want it to come back on you. Like I said, he’s got a lot of beef with people in the league and he kind of did it to himself.” (responding to comments from Blue Jays manager John Schneider)
“When Cal Raleigh says he has childhood memories dreaming of growing up and competing in the Home Run Derby, he really means it.” (a reporter’s summary of his feelings about the Derby)
“He’s not very tough to pitch to when you execute your pitches. He’s hitting .200. I know he’s done damage against us and I think if you execute, he’s obviously got big damage potential and he’s got a lot of strikeout potential, too, and when you execute your pitches, you usually get the job done.” (a quote from John Schneider about Cal Raleigh, which Raleigh later responded to)
“The Tigers are cowards for intentionally walking Cal when he could tie a MLB record.” (a fan’s reaction to Raleigh being intentionally walked)
“WALKING CAL RALEIGH ON A CHANCE TO TIE WITH BARRY BONDS!? SCREW OFF TIGERS.” (another fan’s reaction)
“That intentional walk pissed me off so bad. Come on, Detroit.” (another fan’s reaction)
“He’s just a beast. It couldn’t have gone any better.” (His brother, Todd Jr., on his Home Run Derby performance)
“I mean, people started saying [Johnny] Bench and [Mickey] Mantle. It’s hard for me. I’m like, ‘Well, wait a minute, those guys are baseball legends and gods.’ I can’t really put my son with that, but the numbers are coming to that. Hard to believe.” (His father, Todd Sr., on his son’s performance)
“His cheeks actually propel him forward, his legs are just for guidance.” (a fan’s humorous quote about his speed)
“He claps them 3x and the shockwave gets him to second.” (another fan’s humorous quote about his speed)
“Not to be that guy, but I played with him in high school. He led our team in stolen bases cause he was so good at timing up pitchers and getting a good jump.” (a former teammate on his base stealing ability)
