The 2024 baseball season is in full swing, with players returning to the field in late March. Along with the athletes, the wives and girlfriends of MLB players are also in the spotlight. Some couples keep their relationships private, while others share their experiences on social media. Several wives and girlfriends, known as WAGs, are often seen cheering on their significant others during games, adding to the excitement of the season.
One MLB power couple is Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka. Ohtani, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, married Tanaka, a former professional basketball player from Japan. Despite keeping their relationship under wraps at first, they made their social media debut in early 2024. Another couple, Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck, are known for keeping their relationship private. The New York Yankees outfielder and his wife have been together since high school, getting married in December 2021.
Justin Verlander, a pitcher for the Houston Astros, and Kate Upton, a Sports Illustrated model, have been married since 2017. The couple met in 2012 at a commercial shoot and have since welcomed a daughter, Genevieve, into their family. Josh Smith, an infielder for the Texas Rangers, is married to social media influencer Claire Smith. Claire often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of their life on TikTok, giving fans a look into the world of MLB wives.
Mookie Betts and Brianna Hammonds have been together since their high school days. Betts, who used to play for the Boston Red Sox and now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, welcomed their first child in 2018. The couple got engaged in 2021 and married later that year, welcoming a second child in 2023. Corey Seager, a Texas Rangers player, and his wife Madisyn Seager often share their life on social media. The couple met in high school, split briefly, and then got engaged in 2019.
Cody Bellinger, a player for the Chicago Cubs, and model Chase Carter welcomed their first child in 2021 and got engaged in 2023. While they never publicly announced their marriage, Carter did change her last name on Instagram, subtly confirming their union. Yainee Alonso, wife of San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, met her husband through her brother, former MLB first baseman Yonder Alonso. The couple started dating in 2011 and got married in 2014.
Dansby Swanson, a shortstop for the Atlanta Braves, is married to Mallory Pugh, a member of the Chicago Red Stars soccer team. They wed in December 2022. Gerrit Cole, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, and his wife Amy Cole met as student athletes at UCLA and have been married since 2016. They have two sons and are expecting their third child in 2024. Austin Gomber, a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, is married to Rachel Gomber, a social media influencer. They have two sons and are expecting their third child. Bryce Harper, who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, is married to Kayla Harper, and the couple share two children with a third on the way. Harper has spoken about the loving support he receives from his family, emphasizing the importance of their presence in his life.
