Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia revealed the reason for his absence from the World Series roster last October was due to a deeply personal family tragedy involving the loss of his newborn daughter. Vesia and his wife Kayla announced their daughter Sterling Sol passed away shortly after her birth in November, a moment that profoundly affected the pitcher and his family.
On the first day of Spring Training at Camelback Ranch, Vesia addressed the media with a prepared statement. He emphasized how quickly life can change, recounting the brief time they had with their daughter.
“The lessons we’ve learned from this is that life can change in an instant,”
he said.
“For us, 10 minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her and love her. Our time together was far too short … I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we’re carrying her with us every day.”
Vesia expressed the deep pain of not being able to bring Sterling Sol home but highlighted the cherished moments he and his wife hold close as they continue healing. In asking for privacy, he requested understanding from the public:
“Kayla and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves,”
he said.
“I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season.”
Support from Teammates and Opponents During World Series Highlighted
Throughout the World Series, Vesia received notable support from both his Dodgers teammates and opponents alike. As a tribute, members of the Dodgers wore No. 51 on their hats, Vesia’s number, in solidarity. Remarkably, players from the Toronto Blue Jays also displayed No. 51 on their hats, extending warmth beyond team boundaries during this difficult period.
Vesia expressed gratitude for this gesture and shared a personal anecdote involving a message from Gus Varland, brother of Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland.
“I’d like to thank the Toronto Blue Jays, their front office, coaching staff and their players for showing us the support, they are a first class organization,”
Vesia said.
“And I just wanna say thank you to them. When Kay and I were watching the World Series, we noticed that there was 51 on Louis Varland’s hat.”
“I immediately texted Gus Varland, his brother, and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away, and he said, ‘The Varlands love you, dude. The whole Toronto bullpen has it too, it’s bigger than baseball, we love y’all.’”
Beyond the teams, Vesia also acknowledged the widespread support from baseball fans, who shared encouragement and kindness on social media during this challenging time.
The Lasting Impact on Vesia’s Season and Outlook
This personal loss has reshaped Vesia’s perspective as he embarks on a new baseball season. The pitcher’s openness serves as a reminder of the human experiences behind the sport, revealing the emotional challenges athletes face off the field. As Vesia and Kayla continue to navigate their grief, the support from fellow players and fans underscores the solidarity within the baseball community.
As the season progresses, Vesia’s resolve and determination remain evident, fueled by the memory of his daughter Sterling Sol. The pitcher’s candid reflections invite empathy and respect as he balances personal healing with the demands of professional baseball.
