Dodgers Rookie Played Through Earthquake Tragedy in MLB Debut. Here’s What He Wrote on His Cap.

Eliezer Alfonzo made his MLB debut on Sunday. Most rookies remember that day for the crowd noise or the first hit. Alfonzo will remember it for something else entirely.

The Dodgers catcher lost his stepmother and his sister in the catastrophic earthquakes that hit Venezuela recently. He still took the field against the Padres. And he made sure everyone knew who he was playing for.

Alfonzo wrote “E y P” and “RIP” on the brim of his cap. “VZ” for Venezuela went on the side. Simple gestures. They meant everything.

The Dodgers lost 5-2. Alfonzo went 0-for-2. The box score won’t tell you what this game actually meant.

Playing Through Grief

“Honestly it was a little difficult,” Alfonzo said. “But at the same time, thanking God always for everything. What happened, unfortunately, is out of my hands and part of life. Only God knows why they happen. I went out there to honor 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.”

He didn’t have to go through this alone. Miguel Rojas, the veteran third baseman, has known Alfonzo’s father for years. Rojas wrote “ALFONZO” and “FUERZA MATATÁN” on his own cap — the nickname for Alfonzo Sr. Manager Dave Roberts was there too.

“It’s really hard,” Rojas said. “I think I’ve been in shock the last 10 days. Especially because my family, my close family, was there. I know a lot of friends, a lot of people that are going through it. Leaving everything that is happening is really hard, because I feel like I can’t really stop playing. But at the same time, it’s really hard to stay present and stay here, connected mentally, and do everything that you can to stay in the moment.”

Life Goes On in the NL West

The Dodgers are 59-32 and sitting in first place. That’s the business side of things. But baseball has a way of reminding you that real life happens between the lines too. Alfonzo stepped into that reality on Sunday and didn’t flinch.

He wore his sister and stepmother on his cap. He played a game he loves. And now he moves forward, one day at a time.