Likewise, Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández commended his rivals for what he described as an “incredible” act of goodwill.
“For those guys to do that, it’s incredible,” he told reporters during a press conference ahead of game seven. “They’re trying to win a World Series, but they understand that life is bigger than baseball, and baseball’s just a game. For them to do that, with where we were at with the stakes, hats off to them. And I want them to know that we appreciate them.”
Vesia’s absence was also felt by his teammates, who inscribed his number on their own hats throughout the series as well.
“I’m new to the bullpen, but Ves, he means a lot to all of us,” Clayton Kershaw told reporters following the Oct. 27 game. “And he was a huge part of this team, huge part of that bullpen. So, we just wanted to do something to honor him.”