toronto-the toronto blue jays have joined their counterparts at los angeles dodgers Paying tribute to Dodgers reliever Alex Vescia during the World Series.
The Dodgers said in a statement posted on social media before Game 1 that Vesia is away from the team due to an “extremely personal family matter.” Pitchers on the Dodgers are playing with Vesia’s number 51 on the side of their caps.
In a show of solidarity, Blue Jays relievers have started doing the same thing. of toronto Chris Bassitt, seranthony dominguez, mason fluharty And louis verland Everyone had the number 51 written on the side of their caps in Friday’s Game 6, a 3-1 Dodgers victory that forced a Game 7.
The 29-year-old Vesia has been a reliable bullpen arm for the defending champions. The left-hander went 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 68 regular season games. In seven postseason appearances he was 2–0 with a 3.86 ERA.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was impressed to see the Blue Jays recognize an opponent amid intense World Series competition.
“It means everything,” Roberts said before Saturday’s Game 7 in Toronto. “I didn’t know that until after the game last night. I think it really shows the brotherhood of the athletes. … It just shows how much respect and love they have for each other. It’s a big, big tribute to Alex.”
dodgers outfielder enrique hernandez On Friday, when he was walking back to the dugout after striking out in the ninth inning, he was looking at the stadium’s big screen when his eyes fell on the number written on Bassitt’s cap.
“I was looking at the board to see the replay and then I saw he had 51,” Hernandez said Saturday. “Instead of being angry at getting out, I was going back to the dugout wondering, ‘Has Bassitt played with Vesia at some point?’ And then after the game I saw that everyone had them. For those guys to do that is incredible. They’re trying to win the World Series, but they understand that life is bigger than baseball, and baseball is just a game.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the tribute to Vessia reflected the quality of character among the players in his team’s clubhouse.
“We have a lot of good people, a lot of good human beings who are husbands and fathers and things like that, who appreciate what we all do and the hardships that come with it,” Schneider said.
