Renowned pitcher Clayton Kershaw has etched his name in Major League Baseball history with the Los Angeles Dodgers. From his debut in 2008 to his expected retirement in 2025, Kershaw has solidified a legacy filled with accolades.
The three-time Cy Young Award recipient is positioned in the pantheon of baseball greats, a journey buoyed by the unwavering support of his wife, Ellen. Their romance dates back to 2003, three years before the Dodgers selected him in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft. The couple tied the knot in 2010 and is currently preparing to welcome their fifth child, having already raised four bright young minds together.
While Kershaw is the first in his family to play in the MLB, he hails from a lineage rich in talent. He is the great-nephew of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer credited with discovering Pluto (who passed away in 1997, well before Pluto’s notorious rebranding as a dwarf planet). His father, Christopher, made a name for himself as a musician, even earning a Clio award for his catchy commercial jingles.
Continue reading to discover more about the Kershaw family dynamics.
Ellen Melson Kershaw
Clayton and Ellen first crossed paths in their freshman year at Highland Park High School in Texas. They maintained their bond through graduation, and even as Clayton embarked on his professional baseball journey and Ellen pursued her college education.
“My relationship with Ellen grew deeper as she went to college and I began my professional career. We learned a lot about ourselves during that period, which ultimately strengthened our bond,” Clayton shared during an interview with Risen Magazine. “As for knowing she was ‘the one,’ I couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment—perhaps late in high school or early college.”
Ellen was a constant presence at the stadium on the night of Clayton’s Major League debut, and she fondly reminisced about that evening in a video released by the Dodgers as Clayton celebrated his 3,000th career strikeout.
“I remember the thrill of your first strikeout, sharing the excitement in our section and cheering for you like we always do,” she recalled.
Cali
They welcomed their first child, daughter Cali, in 2015. In a heartfelt 2019 piece for the Players Tribune, Clayton revealed how fatherhood transformed his life.
“Being a dad is the best thing that ever happened to me. My kids have enriched my life in countless ways,” he expressed. Cali has grown accustomed to the baseball lifestyle, often enjoying her time at the stadium, especially for the chance to play with the children of fellow players.
Like her mother, Cali had her own touching message for Clayton upon his achievement of 3,000 strikeouts: “Dad, I’m so proud of you. You’ve been racking up strikeouts since before I was even born! I’m thrilled you’ve reached this milestone.”
Charley
Born in 2015, Charley might still have a few years before he reaches the Majors, but he’s already showing his love for the game. As Clayton humorously noted in a piece for the Players Tribune, “Nothing in this world excites him more than baseball. There’s really no turning back for him—he plays, pitches, runs the bases… it’s all he ever wants to do.”
Charley has even discovered the classic film The Sandlot, which he now insists is the greatest movie of all time. Together with Clayton, they can often be seen throwing balls or going through drills before games.
Cooper
On to the next family addition, son Cooper was born in 2020. “Thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our family—Cooper Ellis Kershaw. He arrived last Sunday, and we are grateful for a healthy baby boy,” Clayton shared on Instagram at the time. “Cali and Charley are beyond excited to have a new little brother.”
Chance
The latest addition, son Chance, graced the family in 2021, announced by Clayton on Instagram with the flourish of a proud parent. “Chance James Kershaw—our fourth child—arrived yesterday! He’s perfect and eager to meet his big sister and two big brothers!”
