LOS ANGELES -- As Eliezer Alfonzo stepped into the Dodger Stadium batter's box, the home crowd rose to its feet for an ovation. More than a warm welcome to the big leagues, it was an acknowledgement of the heavy heart that Alfonzo brought to the diamond.
On Sunday, reports out of Venezuela brought the heartbreaking news that Alfonzo's sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, had been found dead in the aftermath of the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24. The official death toll of the disaster has exceeded 3,000 people, with tens of thousands more injured or missing.
Alfonzo, the son of the former big league catcher of the same name who played parts of six seasons with the Giants, Padres, Mariners and Rockies, did not consider sitting out Sunday's game. Supported by conversations with his father, brother and teammates, he felt that the best way to honor his late loved ones was to play for them.
"Honestly it was a little difficult, but at the same time, thanking God always for everything," Alfonzo said in Spanish after his MLB debut in the Dodgers' 5-2 loss to the Padres. "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."
Alfonzo symbolically brought his sister and stepmother onto the field with him, writing "E y P" and "RIP" above the brim of his cap, which also featured an embroidered "VZ" on the side for Venezuela.
The 26-year-old Alfonzo, who signed a Minor League deal with the Dodgers in the offseason and had his contract selected from Triple-A Oklahoma on Saturday, said it was one of his sister's dreams to see him reach the big leagues. When that dream became reality on the day he received the devastating news about his family, he still made an effort to enjoy the moment, as he believed his sister would have wanted.
Alfonzo may be new to the Dodgers' big league club, but his father goes way back with veteran Miguel Rojas and manager Dave Roberts. Rojas played against Alfonzo Sr. in Venezuelan winter ball and considers him both a close friend and an icon of the game, while Roberts was his teammate with the Giants.
Rojas did not get to know Alfonzo Jr. well until they played against each other in winter ball in 2024, but the veteran was thrilled to see the rookie land with the Dodgers' organization during the offseason. Before Sunday's game, as Alfonzo Jr. was announced as the starting catcher, Rojas wrapped him in a hug in the home dugout.
On his own cap, Rojas inked a message of support: a cross next to "ALFONZO" and "FUERZA MATATÁN," referencing Alfonzo Sr.'s nickname.
"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."
Rojas is one of many Venezuelan Major Leaguers who have expressed conflicted feelings toward being away from their home country during such a difficult time. When the quakes struck, he was able to confirm that his family was safe early on, but that didn't ease the pain of what was happening with his countrymen.
For the Dodgers, what happened to the Alfonzos hit especially hard.
"Miggy and Edgardo [Henriquez] have family there, among other players in the big leagues, and people in Venezuela, but we weren't kind of directly impacted until Eliezer, part of our organization, was directly impacted," Roberts said. "So that's what hits home even more, right or wrong. But our hearts break for them, and we're going to be here to support him in any way we possibly can."
When Alfonzo Jr. took the big league field for the first time, he did it with his loved ones heavy on his mind. And in his future trips to the diamond, he'll keep them with him in his heart, honoring them the best way he knows how.
"Going onto the field and giving my best and enjoying, like I know my sister liked to see me," he said. "Every time I go to the batter’s box, I’ll be thinking about how she would yell from the stands, telling me to hit the ball hard."