During the intense Game 6 of the World Series, Kike Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a striking moment when he was struck out by Toronto Blue Jays reliever Chris Bassitt. As Hernandez walked back to the dugout, he noticed something unexpected on the Jumbotron at Rogers Centre – Bassitt had written “51” on the side of his hat as a touching tribute to Hernandez’s teammate, Alex Vesia.
All four Blue Jays relievers who pitched in the game had also honored Vesia by donning the number “51” on their hats, showing solidarity and support for the Dodgers’ reliever who was away from the team due to personal reasons.
Vesia, a key reliever for the Dodgers, had stepped away from the World Series to focus on a private matter with his wife. The touching gesture from the Blue Jays relievers deeply moved both the Dodgers players and coaching staff, emphasizing the bond and sportsmanship shared among athletes beyond the competition.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed gratitude for the heartfelt gesture from the opposing team, highlighting the brotherhood and compassion that transcends the game of baseball. Blue Jays manager John Schneider also commended his players for their empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by their fellow athletes.
The solidarity shown by the Blue Jays relievers in honoring Alex Vesia underscores the human side of sports and the importance of supporting one another through life’s challenges, both on and off the field.
