Mike Yastrzemski carries on the legendary baseball legacy of his grandfather, Carl Yastrzemski, a Hall of Famer who spent his entire 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox.
Born 51 years apart, Carl and Mike represent different game eras. They shared the same nickname, Yaz.
Mike Yastrzemski, born on August 23, 1990, in Andover, Massachusetts, is carrying forward his family’s storied baseball tradition. He grew up immersed in the game, honing his skills at St. John’s Preparatory School, where he was named team captain in his senior year.
Moreover, his talent earned him a college baseball scholarship to Vanderbilt University, a powerhouse in NCAA baseball.
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Mike’s perseverance paid off when he made his major league debut in 2019 with the San Francisco Giants, marking the next chapter in the Yastrzemski baseball dynasty.
On the other hand, Carl Yastrzemski was born just one day before Mike’s future birthday, on August 22, 1939, in Southampton, New York. He took a different path to the big leagues.
After starring in basketball at Bridgehampton School, he initially attended Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship before fully committing to baseball.
His legendary 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox (1961–1983) made him one of the most iconic one-team players in MLB history, a record he shares with Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Orioles).
His 1967 Triple Crown season (.326 BA, 44 HR, 121 RBI) and 1989 Hall of Fame induction cemented his place among baseball’s all-time greats.
Furthermore, from Carl’s dominance in the 1960s to Mike’s rise in the 2020s, the Yastrzemski name remains etched in baseball lore, a rare three-generation MLB family (Carl, Mike’s father Carl Jr, and now Mike) united by talent, dedication, and an enduring love for the game.
Mike Yastrzemski Is Related To Carl Yastrzemski
Mike Yastrzemski grew up in a family deeply rooted in athletics.
His father, Carl Jr., played professional baseball in the minor leagues from 1984 to 1988, instilling in Mike a love for the game from an early age.
However, his childhood was marked by hardship. His parents divorced when he was just six years old, and tragedy struck when his father passed away at 43 due to complications from hip surgery.
Despite the loss, Mike found strength in his grandfather, Carl Yastrzemski, a Boston Red Sox legend who became his guiding figure and inspiration.
Baseball was always in his blood. His mother, Anne Marie, fondly remembers him swinging his toothbrush at ping-pong balls as a baby, mimicking a batter’s stance. That early passion never faded.
One of the most poignant moments in Mike’s career came in September 2019 at Fenway Park, where 80-year-old Carl took the mound to throw a ceremonial first pitch to his grandson.
As they embraced afterward, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation, a powerful tribute to the unbroken bond between two generations of Yastrzemskis.
Beyond baseball, family remains central to Mike’s life.
His grandfather, Carl, had two daughters, Susanne and Mary Ann, from his first marriage to Carol Ann Yastrzemski, which sadly ended in divorce.
Meanwhile, Mike married Paige Yastrzemski in November 2018, and the couple now has two children, a daughter and a son, ensuring the Yastrzemski legacy continues on and off the field.
