Clayton Kershaw's Hall of Fame Career and Loving Family Legacy

Major League Baseball pitcher Clayton Kershaw constructed a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, spanning from when he debuted in the major leagues in 2008 until he announced his retirement in 2025.The three-time Cy Young Award winner will be remembered as one of the finest players to ever take the mound, and he has had his wife, Ellen, by his side throughout his entire journey. The high school sweethearts initially began dating in 2003, three years prior to the Dodgers selecting him in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft. They married in 2010 and now share five children together.Though Clayton is the first MLB player in his family, he comes from a lineage of talent. He is the great-nephew of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto (Tombaugh passed away in 1997, well before Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet). Kershaw’s father, Christopher, was a musician who earned a Clio award for his commercial jingles.Keep scrolling for more details on Clayton Kershaw’s family.MLB Star Freddie Freeman's Family Guide: Meet His Wife, Kids and More

Ellen Melson Kershaw

Clayton and Ellen started dating when they were freshmen at Highland Park High School in Texas, maintaining their relationship through graduation and eventually navigating a long-distance connection when Clayton began his professional career and Ellen attended college.“I would say we grew closer when she went to college and I started playing professionally,” Clayton mentioned in an interview with Risen Magazine. “We both kind of figured things out independently. I believe that truly benefited our relationship. As for when she became the one? I honestly don’t know. Perhaps late in high school, or early in college.”Ellen was certainly present in the stadium when he made his Major League debut. She reflected on that moment in a 2025 video shared by the Dodgers when Clayton recorded his 3,000th career strikeout.“I remember your very first strikeout and we were ecstatic, shouting in our usual section like always… cheering you on,” she said.A Comprehensive Guide to the Chrisley Family: Todd, Julie and More

Cali

Clayton and Ellen welcomed their first child, daughter Cali, in 2015. As Clayton wrote in the Players Tribune in 2019, becoming a father has transformed his life.“Being a dad is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me,” he stated. “My children have positively impacted my life in countless ways.”Cali has grown up around the Dodgers, with Clayton revealing that she “loves visiting the stadium” because it allows her to play with the other players’ children.Like Ellen, she also had a message for Clayton when he achieved 3,000 strikeouts.“Dad, I’m so proud of you… you’ve been throwing strikeouts since before I was born,” she told her dad. “I’m so happy you’ve reached 3,000 strikeouts.”Meet the Next Generation of the Bates Family: Photos of Their Kids

Charley

Born in 2015, Charley has a long journey ahead to reach the Majors like his dad, but he’s well on his way. As Clayton wrote in the Players Tribune, “There’s practically nothing he loves in this world more than baseball.”“There’s really no stopping him — he hits, he pitches, he runs the bases… baseball is all he ever wants to do,” he said. “Charley even started watching The Sandlot recently, and he thinks it’s the greatest film ever.”Charley and Clayton are often seen on the field before games playing catch or with Clayton hitting ground balls to his son.Carson Daly’s Family Guide: Meet His Wife and 4 Kids

Cooper

Clayton and Ellen welcomed son Cooper in 2020.“Want y’all to meet someone new to our team – Cooper Ellis Kershaw joined us last Sunday, and we are so grateful for a healthy baby boy,” Clayton wrote via Instagram at the time. “Cali & Charley are the best big siblings & love their baby brother so much.”

Chance

Clayton and Ellen announced the arrival of their youngest, son Chance, in 2021 via a post to Clayton’s Instagram channel.“Chance James Kershaw – our #4 arrived yesterday!” he wrote in the caption. “He’s perfect, and can’t wait to meet his big sister & 2 big bros!”

Chloe

Just days before celebrating Christmas 2025, Clayton and Ellen welcomed their fifth baby together.“Meet Chloe Peach Kershaw, who joined our crew and arrived on December 19th!” Clayton wrote via Instagram on December 23, 2025. “She’s perfect and her brothers and sister are obsessed with her. We are grateful for the gift of her life!”Although the former MLB pitcher announced his retirement just a few months prior, Clayton still received support from the Dodgers.The team noticed the post and commented, “Congratulations, Kershaw family! Welcome to the world, Chloe Peach 💙.”