Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitcher Alex Vesia Suffers terrible Tragedy
In a world where wins and losses are tracked with religious fervor, some moments cut through the noise and remind us that life is so much bigger than the game. We got one of those gut-wrenching reminders when Los Angeles Dodgers Reliever Alex Vesia shared news that shattered the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.
While his teammates battled the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series, Vesia and his wife, Kayla, were enduring an unimaginable private battle. Their daughter, Sterling Sol Vesia, was stillborn on October 26, a day that fell between Games 2 and 3 of the “Fall Classic.” The pain of that loss is something no box score can ever capture.
A Team and a City Rally Around Vesia
When the Dodgers announced that Vesia would miss the entire series due to a “deeply personal family matter,” the baseball world held its breath. Details were kept private, a testament to the respect the organization has for its players. President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, made it clear their priority was supporting Vesia, stating, “This is so much bigger than baseball.” They intentionally avoided placing him on the Family Medical Emergency List to ensure there was zero pressure for him to return.
His brothers in the bullpen felt his absence deeply. In a touching tribute during Game 3, several Dodgers, including Justin Wrobleski, were spotted with Vesia’s number, 51, Sharpied onto their caps.
Even Clayton Kershaw, a legend in his own right, spoke on what Vesia means to the clubhouse. “He’s a huge part of the team, a huge part of the bullpen, so we wanted to do something to honor him,” Kershaw said. The gesture of solidarity even crossed dugouts, with the Blue Jays bullpen also honoring Vesia in Game 6.
Finding Strength In Community
On Friday, November 7, Alex and Kayla shared their heartbreaking news on Instagram. “Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday, October 26,” the post read. “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.”
In the face of such profound grief, the couple expressed immense gratitude for the wave of support they received. They thanked their “baseball family” for showing up when it mattered most, as well as the entire Dodgers organization, the Blue Jays, and fans across the sport. “We have seen ALL your messages, comments and posts,” they wrote. “It’s brought us so much comfort.” They also extended their thanks to the incredible medical staff at Cedars-Sinai who cared for Kayla and Sterling.
Vesia, a popular and fiery competitor on the mound since joining the Dodgers in 2021, showed a different kind of strength—the strength to be vulnerable and to acknowledge the community holding him up. While the Dodgers went on to win the World Series, this story is the one that will be remembered long after the champagne has dried. It’s a somber lesson that behind every uniform is a human being, and some losses are far greater than any game.
