Mariners Announce Cal Raleigh News This Week

Cal Raleigh Is the Mariners' Winner of the Heart and Hustle Award

The Mariners announced on Tuesday that Raleigh is the recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award. Each MLB team has one player who wins the award while an overall winner will also be announced.

The Heart and Hustle Award is voted upon by current and past MLB players.

"Congrats to Cal Raleigh on being our 2025 #HeartAndHustle Award winner! #TridentsUp," the Mariners noted in an X message on Tuesday.

Why Is Cal Raleigh Called 'The Big Dumper'?

Raleigh has former Mariners teammate Jarred Kelenic to credit (or blame) for his nickname of "The Big Dumper." Kelenic was referring to Raleigh's backside with the now iconic nickname.

"Raleigh's nickname was originally coined by former Mariners teammate Jarred Kelenic, who used it to describe Raleigh's butt whenever he got into his catching stance in the minor leagues," USA Today's Robert Zeglinski detailed.

Mariners Star Cal Raleigh on 'MVP' Chants: 'I am Human. I Do Hear Them'

The Heart and Hustle Award may be the first of several honors if Raleigh's impressive season continues. Raleigh has now been the Mariners nominee in back-to-back years.

Thanks to several prudent moves at the MLB trade deadline, the Mariners are now even more of a threat to win the World Series. Raleigh admitted to hearing the "MVP" chants from Mariners fans but remains focused on helping the club continue to stack wins.

“I am a human. I do hear them,” Raleigh remarked on Friday, per MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. “But, yeah, I'm trying to focus on the task at hand."