Droves of Los Angeles Dodgers fans are supporting pitcher Alex Vesia after his infant daughter tragically died amid the 2025 World Series.
SickKids, a pediatric hospital in Toronto, confirmed to the Toronto Star on Monday, November 10, that they received over $30,000 in donations. A hospital spokesperson told the outlet that many of the donations also included a message about the Toronto Blue Jays or baseball.
“I was obviously very happy that the Dodgers had won, but I’ve suffered a lot of sports heartbreak in my life, too,” donor Helen Cumberbatch told the Star. “[I] can recognize that this was a devastating loss for the Blue Jays and their fan base. I hope this becomes a lasting tradition.”
The Los Angeles team edged out the Blue Jays to win the MLB championship, while Dodgers star Vesia, 29, sat out the entire series due to a personal family matter. Days after the Dodgers’ World Series victory, Vesia confirmed that his newborn baby had died.
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“Sterling Sol Vesia, our little angel, we love you forever & you’re with us always,” Alex and his wife, Kayla Vesia, wrote in a joint Instagram post uploaded Friday, November 7. “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.”
Alex and Kayla, who got married in January 2024 after five years of dating, announced in April that they were expecting their first child.
“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,” Alex and Kayla added in their social media statement. “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.”
The couple concluded, “Lastly, we’d like to thank Cedars Sinai and all the medical staff who helped Kayla and Sterling. Every person we came across was truly so incredible.”
While Alex did not participate in the World Series games, the rest of his Dodgers teammates offered their support from afar. They all wore caps embroidered with Alex’s jersey number on the brim.
“Ves, he means a lot to all of us,” Clayton Kershaw said during an October 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 Blue Jays similarly wore Alex’s number on their own caps throughout the championship series.
Several of the wives of Alex’s teammates also shared their condolences to the athlete and Kayla via social media.
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“Love you guys so much,” Freddie Freeman’s wife, Chelsea Freeman, wrote via Instagram comment. ““I can’t stop thinking about you and your beautiful angel.”
Kiké Hernández’s wife, Mariana Vicente, added, “We are here to hold you guys through it all. We love you all!”
Siesta Key alum Madisson Hausburg, who has previously been candid about grieving the death of her stillborn son, also sent an emotional letter to the Vesias.
“Kayla and Alex, I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Sterling. She will live on through you and will always be remembered,” Hausburg, 31, wrote on Friday. “Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any resources or just a fellow loss mom to lean on. Sending you and your family so much love.”
