Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia is carrying a deeply personal and permanent reminder of his late daughter on a set of newly customized gloves this season. The 29-year-old left-hander, who missed the entirety of the Dodgers' World Series championship run last year, has returned to the mound with six unique glove designs that pay tribute to his baby girl, Sterling Sol Vesia.
A Heartbreaking Loss During Championship Glory
Vesia and his wife Kayla experienced profound tragedy last October when they lost their newborn daughter Sterling just two days after the World Series began against the Toronto Blue Jays. The pitcher immediately left the team to be with his family, making what he described as "an easy decision, because my family needed me." While his teammates celebrated their championship victory, Vesia and his wife were mourning the loss of their child.
Personalized Tributes on the Field
This season, Vesia's custom gloves feature several meaningful elements honoring Sterling. During Friday's season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, he wore a red glove with "Sterling Sol" written along one side, her birth date stitched inside the glove, and the letter "K" on his ring finger representing his wife Kayla.
"The idea to honor our daughter started with Kayla," Vesia explained to The California Post. "She asked me one day: 'Hey, are we gonna customize any gloves this year?' And I was like: 'Yeah, we're definitely gonna do something.' That definitely was a priority."
The Bittersweet Return to Baseball
Vesia made his emotional return to professional baseball earlier this month during Spring Training and has now rejoined the Dodgers for the regular season. His comeback has coincided with ongoing celebrations of the team's World Series triumph, creating complex emotions for the pitcher.
"This is such a special moment," Vesia told The Post about the championship recognition. "But at the same time, for Kay and I, it's not." Every mention of the World Series victory serves as a reminder of what he and his wife lost during that same period.
Family Support During Difficult Times
Kayla Vesia attended Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, later sharing a photo from Dodger Stadium on what she described as a "very bittersweet opening day" on Instagram. "What I would give to have my Sterling girl here, carrying her in my heart always," she wrote alongside the picture.
Upon his return for Spring Training last month, Vesia read an emotional statement thanking his wife, the Dodgers organization, the Toronto Blue Jays, and fans for their support during this challenging experience. "The lessons we've learned from this is that life can change in an instant for us," he said. "Ten minutes is all it took. Sterling's soul was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her and love her. Our time together was far too short."
Continuing Legacy Through Sport
The six custom glove designs Vesia will use throughout the season represent what he describes as "very personal... very meaningful" tributes to his daughter. Each glove serves as both a memorial and a source of strength as he returns to professional baseball following the family's tragedy.
As the Dodgers defend their World Series title this season, Vesia's personalized equipment will keep Sterling's memory present on the field, creating a powerful connection between his professional life and personal loss that has reshaped his perspective on both baseball and family.
