Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed relief pitcher Alex Vesia missed the 2024 World Series after leaving the team for a deeply personal family matter.[1] The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-1 in the best-of-seven Fall Classic to claim their eighth championship and second title in five seasons.[1][2]

Vesia's wife, Kayla, gave birth to their daughter Sterling Sol on October 25, 2024, the day of Game 1, which the Dodgers won 6-3. Sterling died two days later, on October 27, between Games 2 and 3 with the series tied 1-1.[1][2] The couple announced the loss on Instagram days after the Dodgers' Game 5 clincher on October 30.[2]

"What I would give to have my Sterling girl here, carrying her in my heart always," Kayla Vesia wrote in a post.[2] Vesia described the ordeal in the family's statement: "Life can change in an instant. For us, 10 minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world."[2]

In his first news conference of spring training on February 19, 2025, at Camelback Ranch, Vesia praised his wife as "the strongest person that I know" and a mutual support system.[3] He added that stepping away from teammates "was difficult, but it was also an easy decision because my family needed me."[3]

"I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we're carrying her with us every day," Vesia said.[2][3] Vesia, 28, had appeared in 66 games in 2024 with a 4.11 ERA before the postseason.[1]

Dodger Stadium, known as Chavez Ravine, is the longtime home of the Dodgers in Los Angeles.[4]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   2024 World Series recap: Dodgers defeat Yankees in five games
   October 30, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-win-2024-world-series-title-over-yankees
2. ESPN
   Dodgers' Alex Vesia, wife Kayla mourn newborn daughter's death
   November 1, 2024
   https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42366612/dodgers-reliever-alex-vesia-wife-announce-newborn-daughter-death
3. The Athletic
   Dodgers’ Alex Vesia discusses grief, loss of newborn daughter Sterling Sol
   February 20, 2025
   https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6154370/2025/02/20/los-angeles-dodgers-alex-vesia-sterling-sol/
4. MLB.com
   Dodger Stadium information
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/ballpark