The World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays not only delivered games of the highest level, but also proof that there is always room for empathy in sport. The tragedy of pitcher Alex Vesia touched the hearts of thousands of fans who put aside their colors to show their support for one of the most difficult moments that any human being can go through.
After the Dodgers victory in an exciting seventh game, Los Angeles fans staged a gesture that transcended the sporting result. It all started in a fan forum where a Toronto supporter, Marcus Kim, suggested that fans of the winning team donate money to the children’s hospital in the losing city, a tradition that the Blue Jays had started weeks earlier.
The idea quickly went viral and within hours, hundreds of donations began pouring into Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, totaling more than $30,000. What was most surprising was that many of these donations came from the United States and carried messages full of solidarity: “On behalf of Alex Vesia. We are rivals, not enemies. Go Dodgers.“
The No. 51 that united the Dodgers and Blue Jays
This gesture became a show of mutual respect between the two fans, but also a symbolic way of accompanying one of their own in the midst of pain.
During the World Series, Alex Vesia was not with the team due to what the club described as “a deeply personal family matter”. Days later, he and his wife, Kayla, shared the tragic news: their first child, Sterling Sol Vesia, had passed away on October 26.
The news shook the Dodgers locker room. In a show of support, the team’s relievers began wearing Vesia’s No. 51 embroidered on their caps during Game 3. “We wanted to do something to honor him,” explained veteran Clayton Kershaw.
Blue Jays joins the show of support for Alex Vesia
When the series moved to Canada, Blue Jays players also decided to write the number 51 on their caps, a small detail, but full of meaning. Kike Hernandez remembered being surprised to see the number on the rival uniform:
I thought it was a mistake. But then I understood… life is bigger than baseball
That moment became a symbol of unity. Two teams vying for the most important title of the year stopped for a moment to pay tribute to a family in mourning.
The Los Angeles team itself reaffirmed its support for the pitcher by exercising its contract option for 2026, ensuring him stability at a difficult time.
In the end, the World Series ended with the Dodgers winning back-to-back titles, but the Blue Jays proved to be a worthy and great team, on the diamond and in the stands, in victory and also in defeat.
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