Whit Merrifield was born to his parents, Bill and Kissy Merrifield. His parents played a huge role in shaping Whit’s career.
Whitley David Merrifield is a professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).
His MLB journey began when the Kansas City Royals selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 draft.
On August 2, 2022, the Jays traded Merrifield for Max Castillo and Samad Taylor. The professional athlete can take the role of an outfielder and a second baseman.
After graduating from Davie County High School, he joined the University of South Carolina and played for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Moreover, he was selected by the MLB All-Stars at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series on September 10, 2018.
Whit Merrifield Parents
Whit was born as the eldest child of his parents. Bill and Kissy raised three kids; two sons and one daughter.
The couple has been together since their college days. Their first encounter was in their university when Bill was a sophomore, and Kissy was a freshman.
They were so in love that the Merrifield couple married when Kissy was in her senior year.
Mrs. Merrifield got pregnant with their first child, a son, Whit, after five years of their marriage.
A few years after, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Costner, followed by their third child, Hite.
Bill, the Wake Forest graduate, was recruited to play for a minor-league baseball team.
The California Angels drafted him in the 2nd round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft.
Bill professionally played as a third, first, and outfielder in the minor league for six seasons.
After retiring from professional sport in 1988, he worked in commercial real estate for a year and returned to West Forest to complete his degree in 1991.
The former athlete joined Wake Forest as an assistant athletic director in 2012. Previously, he served at ISP Sports and IMG College.
Kissy was born as the youngest child with five elder siblings. Mrs. Merrifield started playing tennis at a young age, and by 9, she was playing in state tournaments.
Winning tournament after tournament, she joined Wake Forest University on a scholarship. Throughout her four collegiate years, she always placed in the top four spots.
Both of Whit’s parents are very proud of their kids’ achievements and love to talk about them.
In an interview with ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews, remembering Whit’s winning hit against UCLA, Kissy expressed her joy. She said, “That is a memory we will never forget. It’s all very nostalgic.”
Every member of the Merrifield is doing good on their own and is living apart. Despite the distance, they remain close to each other. Kissy is believed to be the coach of the family that keeps them united.
