What should have been a joyful day of celebration for Dodgers prospect Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. was instead one of incredibly mixed emotions.
When the 26-year-old catcher made his MLB debut on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, he did so after learning that his sister Eliana and stepmother Patricia had been found dead following the devastating earthquakes that rocked Venezuela last month.
Despite receiving the tragic news, Alfonzo suited up for his big-league breakthrough, but said he did so with a heavy heart.
“Honestly, it was a little difficult, but at the same time, thanking God always for everything,” Alfonzo said in Spanish after the game, a 5-2 Dodgers loss.
“What happened, unfortunately, is out of my hands and part of life. Only God knows why they happen.
“I went out there to honour my sister and my stepmother, and give my best in a difficult moment.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win, but you have to keep moving forward.”
What kind of tributes were there?
While his family no doubt was on Alfonzo’s mind, he also wore a tribute to them on his head.
During the game, Alfonzo wore a blue Dodgers cap with “E y P” and “RIP” written in silver marker above the brim of his hat, which also featured an embroidered “VZ.”
Miguel Rojas, his teammate and fellow Venezuelan, also wrote a message on his hat.
Who is Eliezer Alfonzo Jr.?
Alfonzo, who is the son of former MLB catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Sr., signed with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in 2016 and later joined the Dodgers on a minor-league contract this past November. He was called up to the Majors on Saturday before making his debut on Sunday.
During the game, Alfonzo went 0-for-2 at the plate before being pinch hit for by Tommy Edman in the seventh inning. Dalton Rushing then came in to take over catching duties for the remainder of the game.
What did Alfonzo’s teammates say?
“Don’t really know what to say about it, outside of my heart goes out to him and his family,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
“I don’t want to really go too far because I’ll get emotional. So, I don’t know. Yeah, I know it’s tough. Very tough.”
Roberts also noted that Rojas and Edgardo Henriquez have family in Venezuela, but they were unaffected by the disaster.
“Our hearts break for them, and we’re going to be here to support (Alfonzo) in any way we possibly can,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers also issued a statement on Sunday night, sharing condolences.
“The Dodgers wish to express their deepest condolences to catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, Jr. for the passing of his sister Eliana and stepmother Patricia in the devastating earthquake in Venezuela,” the team posted on X. “Our hearts go out to his family in this tragic loss.”
As of Sunday, the official death toll of the June 24 earthquakes reached 3,342 while tens of thousands more have been injured.