Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife, Kayla, shared a deeply personal tragedy that kept him from participating in the World Series. The couple revealed on Instagram that their newborn daughter, Sterling Sol, passed away on Sunday, October 26.
“Our little angel, we love you forever and you’re with us always,” wrote Vesia. “Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday, October 26th. There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through, but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her.”
The Dodgers had previously announced that Vesia would miss the World Series due to “a deeply personal family matter.” In a touching tribute, his teammates wore his number 51 on their caps throughout the series, a gesture mirrored by members of the opposing team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
“Thank you to the Dodgers for their understanding and support during this time. Our baseball family showed up for us and we wouldn’t be able to do this without them,” the couple wrote. “Thank you Dodger Nation, Blue Jays organization and all baseball fans for your love and support. We have seen all your messages, comments, and posts — it’s brought us so much comfort.”
Both organizations and fans expressed their condolences and support for the Vesia family. The act of unity among players across both teams demonstrated the compassion and camaraderie within the baseball community during moments of profound grief.
Author’s summary: Alex Vesia and his wife shared the heartbreak of losing their newborn, receiving immense compassion from teammates, rivals, and fans across Major League Baseball.