Eliézer Alfonzo, a catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made his major league debut on Sunday, a moment he had been working towards for nearly a decade. However, the occasion was bittersweet, as his teenage sister and stepmother remain missing after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela last month.

Family Ties and Tragedy

Alfonzo’s sister, 16-year-old Eliana, and his stepmother, Patricia, were staying at a hotel in La Guaira when the earthquakes struck. Despite the efforts of Alfonzo’s father, former big leaguer Eliézer Alfonzo Sr., to locate them, their bodies were reportedly found just hours before the Dodgers’ game against the San Diego Padres.

Alfonzo, who had just received his call-up to the Dodgers on Saturday, chose to play in the game, finding strength in the knowledge that his family would have wanted him to pursue his dream. He batted ninth and caught the first seven innings, going 0 for 2 before being removed for a pinch hitter.

Support from Teammates and Opponents

Alfonzo’s teammates, including veteran Venezuelan infielder Miguel Rojas, rallied around him, offering hugs and words of encouragement in the dugout. Even the opposing team’s players, such as Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr., showed their support, with Tatis appearing to have a heartfelt moment with Alfonzo at the plate.

Rojas, who has known Alfonzo’s father for nearly two decades, understood why Alfonzo would choose to play despite the personal tragedy. ‘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,’ Rojas said.

Alfonzo’s father, a former catcher who played for four teams from 2006-2011, is highly respected among Venezuelan players for his ebullient personality and willingness to help others pursue their major league dreams.

The earthquakes in Venezuela have caused widespread devastation, with many players, including Rojas, struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. ‘I think I’ve been in shock the last 10 days,’ Rojas said. ‘I know a lot of family and close friends that are going through it, living everything that’s happening. It’s really hard, because I feel like I can’t really stop playing, but at the same time, it’s hard to stay present and to stay here, and stay connected mentally… because you feel selfish (by) being here and playing.’

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.