Dodgers Pay Tribute to Alex Vesia During World Series Game 3
In a heartfelt gesture, the Los Angeles Dodgers dedicated their Game 3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to teammate Alex Vesia, who is currently away from the team due to personal reasons.
On October 27, at Dodger Stadium, players including pitcher Justin Wrobleski donned caps featuring Vesia’s number, 51, as a mark of respect. This tribute underscored the camaraderie within the team.
“I’m new to the bullpen. But Ves, he means a lot to all of us,” said Clayton Kershaw during a post-game press conference. “He’s a huge part of the team, a huge part of the bullpen, so we wanted to do something to honor him.”
The Dodgers not only paid tribute but also delivered an unforgettable performance, edging out the Blue Jays 6-5 in a gripping 18-inning showdown that concluded with a walk-off home run from Freddie Freeman.
“That could go down as one of the greatest games of all time,” remarked manager Dave Roberts after the game, highlighting the significance of both the win and the tribute.
Just days before the World Series commenced on October 24, the Dodgers announced Vesia’s absence. “It’s with a heavy heart that we share that Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife Kayla navigate a deeply personal family matter,” read a statement released on October 23. The organization expressed its support for the Vesia family and promised updates in due course.
Earlier this year, Vesia and Kayla shared exciting news about expecting their first child. “Baby Vesia coming soon, we are beyond excited for this next chapter!” they announced on Instagram in April.
The couple began dating in 2019 and became engaged in November 2022. They celebrated their wedding in January 2024 at Ethereal Gardens in Escondido, California. “•01-05-24• THE BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES! We couldn’t have planned for a better day; it was everything we dreamed of and more,” they wrote in a joint Instagram post.
While there have been no further updates regarding Vesia’s situation, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously explained the decision to exclude him from the roster. This suggests he may not return during the series. Had he been placed on the Family Medical Emergency List, he could have rejoined after a minimum of three days.
“We just didn’t want to have any potential for any kind of pressure,” Friedman stated to reporters. “This is so much bigger than baseball. For us, it was doing whatever small part we could to just 100 percent be supportive.”
Roberts echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Vesia remains in their thoughts as they strive for their second consecutive championship. “It’s certainly on our hearts, and we miss him,” he said during a press conference. “We’ll be thinking about him, and certainly he’s a part of this.”
