US Today Watch
Mookie Betts has numerous honors to his name, yet his greatest joy comes from playing for his two kids: Kynlee Ivory Betts and Kaj Lynn Betts.
The Los Angeles Dodgers player and his wife, Brianna Betts, welcomed their first child, daughter Kynlee, in November 2018. Their family expanded when their son Kaj was born in April 2023.
Mookie’s children have been frequent supporters of his baseball career — even celebrating on the field with him throughout the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. However, juggling fatherhood and baseball hasn’t always been easy.
During a July 2022 appearance on the Dear Fathers podcast, the professional athlete opened up about how “hard” it was to be “pulled in different directions” when he wanted to excel on the field and spend time at home.
Still, Mookie credits his daughter and son for giving his work new meaning.
“It was a little bit easier to go to work and know that you have something to play for, someone that’s really depending on you outside of you and your wife,” he said in a December 2023 video on his YouTube channel.
Here’s everything to know about Mookie Betts’ kids: Kynlee and Kaj.
Mookie and Brianna welcomed their first child, daughter Kynlee Ivory Betts, on Nov. 6, 2018.
On her first birthday, Mookie wrote on Instagram that when Kynlee came into the world, he learned a new “meaning of ‘love.’ “
While the right fielder has nicknamed her his “boss baby,” he also recognized her as a “baseball baby” on Instagram in June 2022. He added, “My baby is a trooper! … After a long game, there is no better feeling than her hugs, kisses and genuine love.”
In recent years, Kynlee has made her share of appearances on the field. In October 2022, Mookie posted on Instagram that she had thrown out the first pitch on his bobblehead night.
According to the Dodgers official Instagram, she joined him again in September 2024 when she surprised him at a Kids Take the Field event, having him sign a baseball for her.
In addition to supporting her dad on the diamond, Kynlee has inspired him away from it, too.
Speaking on the Dear Fathers podcast, Mookie opened up about how being a “girl dad” has made him a better husband to his wife.
“Now, it’s my job to set an example of the relationship I want [Kynlee] to have,” he said, adding that he wants her to know “what a good relationship looks like.”
Through his firstborn, the MLB star has also learned how to strengthen his communication habits, particularly during difficult moments, and Brianna leads the way for them.
“If I hurt her feelings … Brianna makes sure that Kynlee comes and tells me that I hurt her feelings and why I hurt her feelings,” he explained.
The process has helped Mookie focus on important aspects of relationships that “often get overlooked.”
Mookie and Brianna welcomed their second child, son Kaj Lynn Betts, on April 18, 2023.
To celebrate his first birthday in April 2024, his parents threw him an extravagant Cocomelon-themed birthday party — which Brianna described on Instagram as “one for the books.”
Even at a young age, Kaj has shared in his family’s spotlight, appearing in a Lego advertisement alongside his parents and sister in September 2024.
He has also been a frequent supporter of his dad during baseball games. Following the Dodgers World Series Game 2 win on Oct. 26, Kaj and his sister embraced their dad on the field — with Kaj keeping an extra eye on his dad’s glove.
Mookie shared additional clips with his kids from the World Series on Instagram, writing that although he was “focused on the game,” he was “fueled by family.”