Dodgers’ Catcher Makes Big League Debut Moments After Learning Sister, Stepmother Died in Venezuela Earthquake

For the majority of professional baseball players, the life-long dream of being called up to the major leagues is a joyous milestone, an experience to be celebrated and eternally cherished. But for Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Eliézer Alfonzo that memory will be forever bittersweet.Mr. Alfonzo, a Venezuelan who spent nearly a decade in the minor leagues honing his craft, had long envisioned the day he would make his major league debut and make his family proud. But when he finally donned a big-league uniform and prepared for his first major league game on Sunday at Dodgers Stadium, horrific news broke across Latin American media outlets reporting the bodies of his 16-year-old sister, Eliana, and his stepmother, Patricia, had been recovered. Despite the terrible news, Mr. Alfonzo started the game, batted ninth and caught the first seven innings in the Dodgers 5-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. The 26-year-old son of former big leaguer Eliezer Alfonzo Sr. was hitless in two at-bats before being removed for a pinch-hitter.When he stepped to the plate for his first at-bat in the third inning, the home crowd rose to give him a standing ovation, understanding the heaviness in his heart. “I was excited and very emotional when I heard those cheers,” he told reporters after the game. “It’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”Mr. Alfonzo’s sister and stepmother had been missing since earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24. They were reportedly staying at a hotel in La Guaria. Mr. Alfonzo’s father had been searching for them, using heavy equipment to move the piles of rubble.Both teams rallied around Mr. Alfonzo when they learned of the devastating discovery. He drew a measure of peace and the ability to play because of what it would have meant to his sister.“It’s a sad, tough moment,” Mr. Alfonzo said. “Because like three weeks ago, she told me that she had a beautiful dream, but she wasn’t going to tell me anything until that dream came true. I’m pretty sure the dream was something about this. I wish she was alive to watch me playing in the big leagues, but I know she’s on God’s side now, and she’s going to protect me and she’s going to enjoy every moment that I’m going to have playing.”Miguel Rojas, the veteran infielder from Venezuela on the Dodgers, understood why it was important for Mr. Alfonzo to play. “We’re trying to go after a dream that is not just our dream, but this is the dream of his sister, his father, his whole family,” Mr. Rojas told reporters. “He’s been working really hard to get this opportunity. I’m proud of the way he approached everything that happened today to him, but at the same time, it’s really hard to put this moment into context. It’s never easy to lose a family member, especially when something like that happens. All we can do as a club is be here for him and kind of lift him up in these tough moments.”Like many Latin baseball players, Mr. Alfonzo signed a pro contract as a teenager. He was 16 years old when initially signed with the Detroit Tigers. He played in 581 minor league games over nine seasons before signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers last November.He was batting .313 with 16 RBI at Triple-A Oklahoma City, waiting for an opportunity behind the Dodgers big-league catchers Will Smith, backup Dalton Rushing and veteran reserve Chuckie Robinson. With Mr. Smith out with an injury, the Dodgers decided to take a look at Mr. Alfonzo.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave his rookie catcher credit for playing through unimaginable circumstances. “He realized a dream today,” Mr. Roberts said. “Obviously, that was certainly on his heart all day, but he did a fantastic job of driving our pitching staff, compartmentalizing, and I’m sure that after today, it’s going to really hit him and deal with his reality. All of us feel for him and his father, who I know, and their family. It’s just devastating.”Mr. Alfonzo had written “EyP, RIP,”– the initials for Eliana and Patricia – on his cap in silver ink. He never considered not playing after his brother and father encouraged him to fulfill his dream.“What happened, unfortunately, is out of my hands and part of life,” Mr. Alfonzo said. “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.”

Dodgers’ Catcher Makes Big League Debut Moments After Learning Sister, Stepmother Died in Venezuela Earthquake

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