The Toronto Blue Jays spent the offseason loading up after falling just short of winning the World Series in 2025. In a hard-fought seven-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Blue Jays were inches away from winning it all in Game 7 on several different occasions, but they ended up losing in what is now widely regarded as one of the best baseball games of all time.
And yet, while Toronto did not win this game, it’s clear that it earned quite a bit of respect from fans, and even its opponent. With Spring Training getting underway, Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia sent an emotional message to the Blue Jays after he missed the 2025 World Series to spend time with his family in the wake of his newborn daughter’s tragic death.
Alex Vesia Thanks Blue Jays for Supper During 2025 World Series
“They are a first-class organization. Kay and I, we were very emotional… it showed it was much bigger than baseball.”
Vesia has spent the past five seasons with the Dodgers as a key part of their bullpen. During his time with the team, he’s become arguably their best left-handed relief pitcher, and he turned in another strong campaign in 2025, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.02 ERA, five saves, and 80 strikeouts in 59.2 innings of work.
Before the World Series got underway, Los Angeles revealed that Vesia would be removed from its roster to deal with a personal situation, which was later revealed to be the death of his daughter. Given the stakes, this was obviously quite a surprise, but it was clear that the situation Vesia was experiencing off the field was significantly more important than the game of baseball.
With the Dodgers reporting for Spring Training, Vesia was back on the field alongside his teammates, and he explained his absence from the World Series in a statement he prepared for the media. As part of that statement, Vesia made sure to thank the Blue Jays for their support of him throughout the World Series, as several of their players donned his No. 51 on their hats during the series.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Toronto Blue Jays, their front office, coaching staff, and their players, for showing us the support,” Vesia said. “They are a first-class organization, and I just want to say thank you to them … It showed that it was much bigger than baseball.”
Blue Jays Looking to Return to the World Series in 2026
GettyToronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
It’s great to see Vesia back on the field after enduring such a tragedy, and he made it abundantly clear that every little bit of support meant a lot to him. Seeing Toronto’s players go out of their way to show their support, even during the biggest series of their lives, meant the world to Vesia and his family as they battled through these trying times.
The Blue Jays didn’t get the job done when it came to winning the World Series, though, and they have their sights on not just getting back there this season, but winning it all this time around. Doing so will obviously be easier said than done, especially with the Dodgers looking like a superteam once again, but Toronto proved last year that it can go toe-to-toe with any team, which makes it a very dangerous squad heading into the 2026 campaign.
Dodgers Reliever Alex Vesia Sends Heartfelt Message to Blue Jays