The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Margarita Mota, the wife of franchise great Manny Mota, passed away Saturday at the age of 81.
She had dealt with illness over recent years and died of natural causes at home in a suburb of Los Angeles. Along with José Mota, who joined the Dodgers’ broadcast team this season, Margarita is survived by seven additional children, 20 grandkids and four great-grandchildren.
Although Margarita’s health had been in decline, she was among those on hand at Dodger Stadium in April when Manny Mota was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball.
“It’s special. Family is No. 1. My family has been my rock, my foundation and supported me all the time,” Manny said at the time. “I love my family and I appreciate what they do for me.”
Manny Mota played in parts of 13 seasons for the Dodgers from 1969-1980 and 1982. He was also a coach for the organization from 1980-2013 and worked as a Spanish-language broadcaster until 2020.
The Mota family is intertwined with not only the Dodgers franchise but baseball as a whole. José Mota had a brief Major League career with the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals, and Andy Mota appeared in 27 games for the Houston Astros in 1991.
Three of Margarita’s other sons — Domingo, Gary and Tony — played in the Minors. Tony additionally spent time as a Dodgers coach.
Margarita and Manny were married for 60 years. They established the Manny Mota International Foundation to raise money for a medical clinic, baseball fields and school being built in the Dominican Republic.
Margarita’s contributions to supporting the Mota family and those in baseball included cooking for Dodgers Minor Leaguers who were participating in the Dominican Winter League.
Dodgers tribute for Margarita Mota
The Dodgers held a moment of silence in Margarita’s honor before Saturday’s game, and also set a framed photo of her and Manny along with a bouquet of white roses in the Dodger Stadium press box.
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