Orion Kerkering Earns First Career Save For Phillies, Making Parents Todd And Sheli Proud

Orion Kerkering, an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB), is making his parents proud with his rising career.

Richard Orion Kerkering, born on April 4, 2001, in Huntington Beach, California, to parents Richard Todd Kerkering and Sheli Adriene, made his MLB debut on September 24, 2023, with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Furthermore, on June 16, 2025, Orion Kerkering recorded his first career save of the season, leading his team to a 5-2 win against the Miami Marlins.

orion kerkering stuns in postgame interview after picking up his first career save!! pic.twitter.com/r8A0y4WHDJ

— cam ! (@aokstott) June 17, 2025

He pitched a clean inning with one strikeout, requiring only 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes.

With his recent achievement, Orion Kerkering not only won the hearts of many but also made his parents, Todd and Sheli, proud, his constant supporters who have stood by his side every step of the way.

Likewise, his parents, Sheli and Todd, never miss a chance to cheer for their son, Orion Kerkering, in every game. In fact, Todd went viral for his heartfelt support and reaction during Orion’s MLB debut.

Richard Todd Kerkering was overcome with tears as he watched his only son, Orion Kerkering, make his MLB debut, a moment that reflected his son’s endless hard work and dedication.

In an interview, Todd proudly expressed his love for his son Orion Kerkering, stating:

His parents, Sheli and Todd, prefer to maintain a low profile and haven’t shared much about their personal lives.

Orion Kerkering’s Parents, Sheli And Todd, Are Thriving In Their Respective Careers

MLB star Orion Kerkering’s father, Todd Kerkering, is an Emergency Manager at the City of Sarasota, and his mother, Sheli Adriene, works in a law firm.

Orion’s father, Richard Todd Kerkering, worked as an emergency manager of the Sarasota Police Department.

Orion Kerkering’s dad was filled with emotions during his son’s MLB debut ❤️ #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/kcFWunpRlb

— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2025

Todd’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he served as the Emergency Manager of the City of Sarasota, Florida, for over 11 years, from May 2014 to June 2025.

He currently holds the position of Assistant Vice President for Emergency Management at New College of Florida.

Prior to that, Todd Kerkering worked as the emergency management planning chief for Sarasota County in North Port, Sarasota, for almost seven years, and as a gunnery sergeant in the United States Marine Corps for over twenty years, from 1985 to 2005.

Born to late father Richard John Kerkering and mother Susan Jo Carlson, Todd Kerkering graduated from Webster University with a Master’s in Arts in Security Management in 2005.

Likewise, Orion Kerkering’s mother, Sheli Andriene Kerkering, has been working in a law firm for decades. She has been working at Flaherty Law Firm in Sarasota, Florida, since 2017.

Little is known about Sheli’s educational background and other professional details.

Sheli Adriene And Todd Kerkering, Filed For Divorce In 2021

According to some reports, it appears thar Orion Kerkering’s parents, Sheli and Richard Todd Kerkering, went through a divorce proceeding.

Orion’s mother, Sheli Adriene Kerkering, filed for a divorce against his father, Todd Kerkering, on March 5, 2021, in Sarasota County Courts, located in Sarasota, Florida.

Judge Hunter W. Carroll oversaw the case. The status of the case was marked as ‘Disposed’, indicating that it has been resolved, although the case documents are not publicly available.

Likewise, the final order dismissing the case was recorded on August 6, 2021, following an initial petition for dissolution of marriage. However, neither Orion Kerkering nor his parents has said anything regarding the divorce.

In Case you didn’t Know

• Orion Kerkering has an elder sister named Samantha Brown, who works as a science teacher at Azle High School and is a former CTE Forensic Science Teacher.
• He attended Venice High School and the University of South Florida. Orion played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2021.