Catching Up With Cal Raleigh | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

Mariners All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh joins Sources Tell Jeff Passan for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on one of baseball’s toughest — and most misunderstood — positions.

From the craft of calling games and managing pitchers to the physical (and mental) toll behind the plate, Raleigh breaks down what it really takes to be an elite catcher.

And yes, they get into it: the origin of “Big Dumper,” the chaos of foul tips off the mask, ABS challenges, and even the realities of living with one of baseball’s most iconic nicknames.

Timecodes:
00:00 Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan
02:10 Baseball is Beautiful
04:15 Catcher Responsibilities
06:48 Family of Catchers
08:10 Physical Toll of Catching
09:55 Big Dumper Cup
11:50 Putting on Catcher’s Gear
14:22 Daily Pregame Routine
15:55 Calling Your Own Pitches
20:20 Foul Tips Off the Mask
21:10 Ever Been Punched in the Face?
23:40 The Downsides of having a “Big Dumper”
25:45 Origin of the Nickname
29:48 ABS Challenges
34:15 Talking with Hitters
34:55 Bringing Back the Body Issue?
35:40 Building Chemistry with Pitchers
36:45 The Unpredictable Splitter
38:05 Weirdest Pitcher
39:05 Do You Actually Like Pitchers?
40:40 Throwing Runners Out
42:15 Getting Shaken Off
44:10 The 60+ HR Club
46:18 Cal Raleigh Night?
49:05 Mental Toughness Behind the Plate

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