Eliezer Alfonzo Makes Emotional MLB Debut for Dodgers

Eliezer Alfonzo honors his late sister and stepmother in a moving MLB debut, despite the tragic loss following earthquakes in Venezuela.

To honor his sister and stepmother, Eliezer Alfonzo wrote their initials on his cap. Ryan Sirius Sun / Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Eliezer Alfonzo’s long-anticipated major-league debut was overshadowed by profound tragedy. Just hours before Sunday’s game, he learned that his younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, had been found dead following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

As he approached the batter’s box in the bottom of the third inning, the crowd at Dodger Stadium rose to its feet, offering an emotional standing ovation. The moment, filled with compassion and support, brought Alfonzo to tears as he remembered one of his final conversations with Eliana.

“Three weeks ago, (Eliana) had a beautiful dream, but she wasn’t going to tell me until the dream came true,” he shared. “I’m pretty sure the dream was something about this. I wish she was alive to watch me play in the big leagues.”

Despite the weight of grief hanging over what was meant to be an extraordinary moment, Alfonzo decided to take the field. “I went out there to honor my sister and my stepmom and give my best in a difficult moment,” he said in Spanish after the game. The Dodgers, however, fell short, losing 5-2 to the San Diego Padres.

The loss of the Alfonzo family was far more significant than the game itself. Although Alfonzo had expressed hope that Eliana and Patricia would be found safe, that hope was tragically extinguished.

“E y P” — the initials of his sister and stepmother — were etched on the side of his cap as he played, symbolizing that they were with him in spirit on this difficult day.

Alfonzo’s father, who worked with the Delfines de La Guaira in Venezuelan baseball, remained behind to assist in the search for survivors in the wake of the earthquakes that have devastated the region. The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have resulted in a rising death toll of over 3,300 individuals, with thousands more injured or displaced.

In the Dodgers clubhouse, the atmosphere was filled with solidarity for Alfonzo. Fellow Venezuelan player Miguel Rojas, who faced Alfonzo Sr. in Venezuela, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had previously played with him, provided invaluable support. “It’s really tough right now to put into context and to put into words,” said Rojas. “Just for him to be here today and making the decision that he was going to just fulfill his childhood dream… it’s really tough.”

Rojas also wrote a message on the side of his hat: “Alfonzo” along with “Fuerza Matatán,” a tribute to Alfonzo Sr.’s nickname, encouraging a spirit of strength during this dark time.

In his debut, Alfonzo went 0-for-2 before being replaced by a pinch hitter. The heartfelt support from the fans, however, brought him some comfort. “I felt very emotional and very happy when I heard my name announced,” he said. “It’s something I appreciated very much and something I’ll always keep in my heart.”

Having left nearly a decade in the minor leagues behind him, Alfonzo had signed a minor-league deal with Los Angeles in the spring. With existing challenges on the team, he is set to step in as the Dodgers’ backup catcher.

Although his father could not be with him, Alfonzo remained hopeful that he would eventually see him play. “Every time I go to the batter’s box, I’ll be thinking about how she would yell from the stands,” he reflected. “I just wanted to go out there, give my best, for my sister so she could feel proud of me.”