‘The Big Dreidel’: Mariners’ Trent Thornton explains unique nickname

Posted Jul 20, 2025
Of the 23,434 men who’ve played Major League Baseball, only 190 have identified as Jewish. Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton isn’t among them, but he understands why people think he is. After all, a nickname like ‘The Big Dreidel,’ is pretty niche. “Cal Raleigh started calling me ‘The Big Dreidel’ because I spin the ball,” Thornton said. (Boston Herald)

Related: Baseball, Baseball Recruiting

Former Tar Heel outfielder Owen Hull crushes his first home run of his professional career
Owen Hull has wasted no time getting going offensively to start his professional baseball career. The former Tar Heel outfielder put together an outstanding pro...
Wed Aug 5, 2026

Reese Brantmeier, Jason DeCaro, Ryleigh Heck Earn UNC’s 2026 Patterson Medals
Two NCAA champions and a hard-throwing All-America ace on two College World Series teams are the winners of the 2026 Patterson Medals, UNC's most prestigious...
Tue Aug 4, 2026

Red Sox top two draft selections pick up where they left off at UNC in debut weekend
Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull barely let their Tar Heels touch the ground before making an immediate impact in the Red Sox system. Boston’s top...
Mon Aug 3, 2026

Newsletter: UNC Basketball Explores Wild New Portal Window, Football Opens Camp Amid Investigation
UNC Football kicked off training camp this past week, but the headlines weren’t about touchdowns. Basketball had its own bombshell: a court ruling reopened eligibility...
Mon Aug 3, 2026