It is with sadness that we report that Marianne Tombaugh, the mother of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, passed away on Saturday. Although her age and cause of death have not been disclosed, her son’s wife, Ellen Kershaw, announced the news during a dedication ceremony for a youth baseball field in Inglewood, California that the pitcher’s charity foundation had supported.
Kershaw’s parents separated when he was just ten years old, and he was raised by his mother in suburban Dallas. His father, Christopher Kershaw, passed away in 2013. Despite this difficult upbringing, Kershaw found solace in baseball. His mother, Marianne, played a significant role in cultivating his love for the game. Ellen Kershaw spoke about the influence of Clayton’s mother at the dedication ceremony, stating that Marianne moved mountains to get her son to baseball practice and games. She sat in the front row at games, cheering him on and keeping score in a book to calm her nerves. Ellen Kershaw added that Marianne experienced no greater joy than watching her son grow into the man, philanthropist, father, and ballplayer that he is today.
Kershaw and his wife have four children, two of whom he played catch with on the refurbished baseball field before Sunday’s game. Despite the passing of his mother, Kershaw is set to make his scheduled start on Tuesday at home against the Minnesota Twins. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the difficult time Kershaw is going through and stated that the 35-year-old pitcher may take bereavement leave after his start.
Kershaw’s baseball career has been exceptional. He has been named an All-Star eight times and has won three National League Cy Young Awards. He has been an integral part of the Dodgers’ success over the past decade and helped lead them to a World Series championship in 2020.
Despite his success on the field, Kershaw has also been recognized for his charitable work. He and his wife founded the Kershaw’s Challenge charity in 2011, which aims to improve the lives of children in need. The charity has raised over $13 million and has supported a variety of causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
In conclusion, the passing of Clayton Kershaw’s mother is a sad moment for the pitcher and his family. Marianne Tombaugh played a significant role in her son’s life and was instrumental in nurturing his love for baseball. Although Kershaw will undoubtedly be going through a difficult time, he will continue to be a role model for young fans both on and off the field.
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