Baseball Nation Unites in Grief and Support for Dodgers Pitcher Alex Vesia
A flood of Los Angeles Dodgers enthusiasts is offering solace to pitcher Alex Vesia following the tragic passing of his infant daughter amidst the 2025 World Series.
SickKids, a pediatric medical facility in Toronto, verified to the Toronto Star on Monday, November 10, that it had received more than $30,000 in contributions. A hospital representative informed the publication that many of these donations also included a message pertaining to the Toronto Blue Jays or baseball.
“While I was certainly pleased that the Dodgers had triumphed, I've also experienced numerous sports heartbreaks in my lifetime,” donor Helen Cumberbatch shared with the Star. “[I] can acknowledge that this was a devastating defeat for the Blue Jays and their fan base. I hope this develops into an enduring custom.”
The Los Angeles squad narrowly defeated the Blue Jays to secure the MLB championship, while Dodgers standout Vesia, 29, was absent for the entire series due to a private family matter. Days after the Dodgers' World Series victory, Vesia confirmed the death of his newborn baby.
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“Sterling Sol Vesia, our precious angel, we will love you endlessly & you will always be with us,” Alex and his wife, Kayla Vesia, expressed in a joint Instagram post uploaded Friday, November 7. “Our beloved daughter ascended to heaven on Sunday, October 26th. There are no words to articulate the grief we are enduring, but we hold her in our hearts and treasure every moment we shared with her.”
Alex and Kayla, who exchanged vows in January 2024 after five years of courtship, announced in April that they were expecting their first child.
“We extend our gratitude to the Dodgers for their compassion and assistance during this period. Our extended baseball family rallied around us, and we couldn't navigate this without them,” Alex and Kayla further stated in their online message. “We appreciate Dodger Nation, the Blue Jays organization, and all baseball enthusiasts for your affection and solidarity. We have seen EVERY one of your messages, remarks, and updates. It has provided us immense solace.”
The couple concluded, “Lastly, we wish to express our thanks to Cedars Sinai and all the healthcare professionals who cared for Kayla and Sterling. Each individual we encountered was genuinely exceptional.”
Even though Alex was not part of the World Series matchups, his fellow Dodgers players extended their backing remotely. All of them donned caps adorned with Alex’s uniform number stitched onto the brim.
“Ves holds significant importance to all of us,” Clayton Kershaw remarked during an October media briefing. “He's an integral component of the team, a vital part of the bullpen, which is why we sought to do something to commemorate him.”
The Blue Jays likewise displayed Alex’s number on their caps during the entire championship series.
Multiple wives of Alex’s teammates also conveyed their sympathies to the player and Kayla through social media platforms.
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“We love you both immensely,” Freddie Freeman’s spouse, Chelsea Freeman, commented on Instagram. ““My thoughts are constantly with you and your lovely angel.”
Kiké Hernández’s wife, Mariana Vicente, further stated, “We are here to support you both through everything. We send our love to all of you!”
Former Siesta Key cast member Madisson Hausburg, who has openly discussed coping with the loss of her stillborn son in the past, also dispatched a heartfelt message to the Vesia family.
“Kayla and Alex, I am deeply saddened by the passing of your darling Sterling. She will endure through you and will forever be cherished,” Hausburg, 31, penned on Friday. “Kindly feel free to contact me if you require any assistance or simply a fellow mother who has experienced loss for support. Sending abundant love to you and your loved ones.”
