Some things are more important than baseball.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers without top reliever Alex Vesia in this World Series, other members of their bullpen are showing support for the lefty by having his No. 51 embroidered on the side of their hats.
When the series returns to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday, Blue Jays relievers joined in the tributes, wearing No. 51 embroidered on their hats.
Luis Valander, Mason Fluharty, Cerantoni Dominguez and Chris Bassett all competed wearing new hats.
Before Game 7, Los Angeles outfielder Kiké Hernandez was asked about the gesture, and he said he didn't notice until he struck out in the ninth inning against Bassett.
“For those guys to do that, it's unbelievable. They're trying to win a World Series, but they understand there's more to life than baseball, and baseball is just a game,” he said. “For them to do it on the stakes – we do it on the stakes, hats off to them and I want them to know we appreciate them. No matter what happens tonight, we appreciate everything they do.”
“That's what it's all about,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added.
“I didn't know that until after the game last night. I think it really speaks to the brotherhood of athletes, Major League Baseball players, that they would all say baseball is what we do, but that's not who we are.”