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Some MLB love stories go way back to when the player was still striving in high school to build a name for himself, all while being supported by their significant others and still remaining loyal to seeing him succeed. There are a handful of such examples in baseball.
From Bryce Harper's high school love, Kayla, to Aaron Judge's partner, Samantha, these stories remain strong despite all the ups and downs in their careers. Let's take a look at five MLB players who found their love partners in high school.
#5 Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw has not only been excellent on the mound for the Dodgers but has also been faithful and loyal to his high school love, Ellen.
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The future Hall of Famer and Ellen Kershaw (nee Melson) started seeing each other when they were just 16-year-olds during their time at Highland Park High School in University Park, Texas. Kershaw was drafted by the LA Dodgers in 2006, while Ellen attended Texas A&M University.
After Ellen completed her graduation, the duo decided to tie the knot in December 2010. Since then, the Kershaw family has expanded to six, with the duo welcoming four children, namely, Cali Ann (born in Jan. 2015), Charlie Clayton (November 2016), Cooper Elis (January 2020) and Chance James (December 2021).
#4 Mookie Betts
Another Dodgers star who has known his partner since high school is Mookie Betts.
The former AL MVP and LA Dodgers infielder met Brianna Hammonds when they were teenagers in middle school.
"Brianna has been by my side since we were teenagers," Betts told PEOPLE after their engagement. "Together we've grown mentally, physically and spiritually. She is my best friend."
After having their first child together, daughter Kynlee Ivory Betts, in Nov. 2018, the couple exchanged vows in Dec. 2021. The family welcomed another member, a son named Kaj Lynn Betts, in April 2023.
#3 Mike Trout
The love story of Mike Trout and his wife Jessica Trout (née Cox) traces back to their high school days, when they first met in Spanish class.
After sitting next to each other, the pair started seeing each other and also went to senior prom together in 2009.
"She's been there before baseball and along the whole journey," Trout told the MLB's 30 Clubs in 30 Days in 2018. "You say we're getting married young — I was with her for 11 years."
The couple tied the knot in 2017 and are parents to two sons: Beckham and Jordy Michael.
#2 Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge and his wife, Samantha Bracksieck, attended Linden High School in Linden, California and graduated in 2010. Their journey continued with both attending Fresno State University and both excelled in different areas.
According to The Knot, while Judge stood out among his peers in sports, especially baseball, Samantha was awarded "Outstanding Master's Degree Project" for her project "Posterior Elbow Angle During the Movement Phase of Throwing in Relation to the Susceptibility of UCL Injury in Major League Baseball Players."
Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck got married in a private ceremony on December 11, 2021, in Maui, Hawaii.
#1 Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla (nee Varner) were both from Nevada and went to Las Vegas High School. Like Harper, Kayla too was good in athletics, with her being named team MVP from 2009 to 2011 in soccer.
While Harper went to the College of Southern Nevada, Kayla attended Brigham Young University and then transferred to Ohio State University for her junior year.
Interestingly, the couple called off their marriage in January 2015 after Harper had proposed to her in 2014. However, in July 2016, the relationship was back on track and the couple wed in Dec. 2016.
The couple welcomed their son Krew in August 2019 and their daughter Brooklyn arrived in November 2020. Earlier this year, in April, the pair welcomed their third child, daughter Kamryn Ray Harper.
