Marianne Tombaugh, the mother of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, died Saturday. The news was announced by Ellen Kershaw, Clayton’s wife, during a speech at the opening of the baseball field in Inglewood, California.
The great pitcher’s wife Ellen revealed the passing of Marianne Tombaugh on Saturday.
Clayton Kershaw’s mother, Marianne Tombaugh, has died. She was a prominent pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His wife, Ellen Kershaw, made the announcement Saturday, though she did not specify the age or manner of her mother-in-law’s death, according to The Associated Press.
Delivering a statement at the inauguration of a baseball field in Inglewood, Calif., that the Kershaws helped build through his foundation, Ellen, 35, broke the news.
Ellen said in a broken voice, “Today we dedicate this field to his dear mother, who died this morning and went to be with the Lord. She had no greater pleasure than to see her son grow into a man, a philanthropist.” the parent and baseball player he is today.
The field dedication, which took place the day before Mother’s Day, left Clayton, 35, missing.
“Clayton grew up with a baseball in his hand ready to play a sandbox or field game like this,” Ellen said. She informed the crowd, “Now she’s getting to relive that feeling of falling in love with the game through the eyes of her children and through the eyes of children like you.”
“One particular person, Clayton’s dear mom Marianne, who went above and beyond to bring him to baseball practices and games, nurtured that love in Clayton,” Ellen said. To calm her anxiety, she jotted down the scores in a ledger while cheering him on from the front row.
According to the AP, Tombaugh raised Kershaw alone in a suburb of Dallas. When he was 10 years old, his parents separated. Christopher Kershaw, songwriter, and record producer, died in 2013 aged 63.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, according to manager Dave Roberts. According to The Los Angeles Times, Roberts said there might be a need for funeral services for his mother after the game.
The Times reported that Kershaw spent Saturday with the Dodgers and made some bullpen throws.
Roberts told reporters on Sunday: “He’s doing well.
He added: “I’m sure this is a day when his heart is heavy,” Roberts. “The hardest thing you can go through is losing a parent,” the spokesman said.
Losing a parent is a deeply personal and emotional journey, and Clayton’s decision to take the mound shortly after his mother’s death reflects his dedication and resilience. Finding solace and a sense of purpose in the game she loves, she honors her mother’s legacy by performing.
Marianne Tombaugh’s legacy will forever be linked to Clayton’s remarkable career and will remind us all of the power of a mother’s love and the resilience of the human spirit.