Of all the titles Los Angeles Dodgers player Mookie Betts holds, there’s something special about being a girl dad.
“It’s honestly a blessing in the sense that I was the only child, and so that love and softness, I never really developed it,” Mookie, 33, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while teaming up with Corona for the launch of the new Beach Connect Series jersey collection. “I didn’t have a sister or anything. When I had [my daughter] Kynlee [in 2018], I didn’t really realize what that type of love was. I’m very appreciative that she kind of made me soft and squishy on the inside because there’s a lot of beauty in it.”
Not only did raising a daughter soften Mookie, it made his love story with wife Brianna Betts even stronger. The high school sweethearts – who also share son Kaj, 3, and newborn daughter Khari — continue to have a relationship built on love and appreciation.
“I feel like [being a girl dad] helped me love my wife in a different manner,” Mookie explained. “It’s been amazing. I got another girl too so I get to do it all over again.”
While baseball season is an extra busy time for Mookie, he’s grateful to have an MVP in his wife, who steps up to the plate and makes sure all three kids are taken care of.
“She’s just a pro. I feel like we have really good kids, mostly because of her,” Mookie said. “Those kids love her. They adore her, and I mean, it’s obvious because she does an amazing job being a mom. She has their trust. She’s loyal to them. They are her little minions. Everywhere she goes, they’re just right behind her.”
When the MLB All-Star isn’t hitting home runs or playing a variety of positions for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mookie is likely at home soaking up quality time with his family.
Some of his favorite activities with his crew include trips to the golf course, the beach or a night at the bowling alley. The memories helped inspire his limited-edition jersey with Corona.
Inspired by the places, memories and beach rituals that help MLB’s greatest players find their “Playa,” the jerseys are uniquely authentic to each player while reminding baseball fans to kick back and savor every moment at the ballpark this summer.
Beginning Thursday, July 16, fans can enter the Corona Beach Connect Sweepstakes at CoronaUSA.com for the chance to win a limited-edition jersey.
“The jersey is a really good representation of myself,” Mookie told Us. “Corona did an awesome job in kind of putting me on a jersey. I’ve learned how to enjoy the beach as I came out to L.A. But what really puts me in the beach mindset is bowling and playing golf, and those things really have immensely calmed me down and put me in a really good headspace. Everything on that jersey is a perfect depiction of who I am and what puts me in the beach mindset.”
Before it’s back to the baseball field, Mookie took a moment to express gratitude for the blessings around him. The outspoken Christian credited God for giving him a life filled with a family and career he loves.
“God has done wonders,” he said. “You become more appreciative of the things that you have. I feel like you understand your purpose. A lot of this came from my wife because she grew up in the church. It changed my life.”
