Dad Makes Good on Home Run Bet: Names Baby After Dodgers’ Mookie Betts

What’s in a name? Some parents choose to honor family members when naming their child, some draw on name meanings, while others are inspired by their dreams for their little one’s future. But when it came time for one California Dad to choose his daughter’s name, he let fate decided.

A dedicated Los Angeles Dodgers fan and expectant father, Giuseppe Mancuso, was in attendance at a home baseball game earlier this August when he suddenly considered raising the stakes involved in naming his child. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts was preparing for an at-bat when Mancuso told the seven-time All-Star he’d give his soon-to-be-born daughter the middle name “Mookie” if he hit a home run.

Sure enough, at his next at-bat, Betts hit one out of the park, holding up his end of the bargain. All that remained would be to see if Mancuso followed through. Just five days after the game, Mancuso’s daughter was born, and he made good on his promise.

In a Tweet describing his bet with Betts, Mancuso shared snapshots of his new daughter’s middle name—Mookie. “A bet is a bet,” Mancuso joked in the caption.” Meet Francesca Mookie Mancuso.”

Shortly after Mancuso shared his daughter’s name and first photos, Betts joined in the conversation, responding, “One of the coolest moments of ya boy’s entire career! Bro is a man of his word.”

The star outfielder, born Marcus Lynn Betts, got his memorable nickname from his parents, who were fans of basketball star Mookie Blaylock. He said he’s looking forward to someday meeting Francesca Mookie: “That’s going to be my girl,” he joked.