In a moving display of compassion that transcended the World Series rivalry, Toronto Blue Jays fans have rallied to support Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia and his family, donating nearly $75,000 to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) following the tragic loss of Vesia’s newborn daughter.
SickKids initially reported receiving around $30,000 in contributions, according to the Toronto Star. That figure has since climbed to nearly $75,000, driven by an outpouring from both Canadian and American baseball communities in the days after the Dodgers and Blue Jays faced off in the 2025 World Series.
The hospital shared that more than 1,000 donors from the United States contributed, many leaving notes of support for the Blue Jays and the Vesia family. A significant number of gifts came in at $51, a thoughtful nod to Vesia’s uniform number.
The Vesia Family’s Heartbreaking Announcement
Vesia and his wife, Kayla, revealed on November 7 that their daughter, Sterling, had passed away on October 26, two days after the World Series began on October 24. Vesia stepped away from the Dodgers to be with his family during the series, a decision met with widespread understanding and support across MLB.
“Our little angel we love you forever & you’re with us always,” the couple wrote on Instagram. “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.”
The Vesias also thanked the organization and the sport that surrounded them during an unimaginable time. “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.”
Rivalry Paused For Compassion: Tributes On The Field
As donations surged off the field, the Blue Jays bullpen found a quiet way to honor the Dodgers pitcher on it. Several Toronto relievers wore Vesia’s No. 51 on the side of their caps during the World Series, a subtle but unmistakable sign of solidarity in the heat of competition.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the gesture ahead of Game 7 on November 1, noting how meaningful the tribute was to the clubhouse. “It’s everything,” Roberts said, according to ABC7. “I didn’t learn that until after the game last night. I think it really speaks to the brotherhood of athletes… It just speaks to how much respect and love they have for one another. It’s a huge, huge tribute to Alex.”
Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernández recalled noticing the number on Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt’s cap during a replay and initially wondering about the connection. “I was looking up at the board to see the replay, and that’s when I saw that he had 51,” Hernández said. “Instead of being mad that I struck out, I was kind of going back to the dugout thinking ‘Did Bassitt play with Vesia at some point?’ And then after the game, I saw that everybody had them. For those guys to do that, it’s incredible. They’re trying to win a World Series, but they understand that life is bigger than baseball, and baseball’s just a game.”
Why The SickKids Donations Matter
Known for its world-class pediatric care and research, SickKids has long been a point of pride in Toronto. The influx of donations in Sterling Vesia’s honor does more than symbolize support; it helps fund critical programs for families and children in need. The hospital noted the cross-border nature of the generosity, highlighting how baseball’s community can come together with meaningful impact.
The recurring $51 contribution became a kind of grassroots rallying cry, aligning fans around the player’s number and turning a uniform detail into a heartfelt message. In a postseason defined by high-stakes innings and bitterly fought games, that simple piece of symbolism echoed a larger truth: some moments are bigger than the scoreboard.
The response also underlined a rare show of unity between rival fanbases during the sport’s biggest stage. For the Blue Jays supporters who organized and amplified the donations, and the Dodgers faithful who added their voices, the effort reflected a shared instinct to show up when it counts the most. Messages that accompanied the contributions often thanked the Blue Jays for leading the charge and expressed condolences to the Vesia family.
While World Series storylines typically revolve around clutch hits and managerial chess matches, this one reached far beyond the diamond. The tributes on the field and the donations off it came together as a reminder that MLB’s community extends well past team allegiances, and that the sport’s fiercest competitors can still stand side by side when it matters most.
As the season closed, the Vesias’ message of gratitude resonated with the thousands who gave in Sterling’s name. The nearly $75,000 raised for SickKids stands as a testament to compassion arriving from every corner of the baseball world—proof that, even at the height of competition, empathy remains a defining part of the game.
