"My dad wanted to wear half-Yankees, half-Dodgers jersey": Alex Vesia reveals father Bob being torn between sides as loyal NY fan in World Series
Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia's father, Bob Vesia, is a longtime New York Yankees fan, but his son was opposing them in the 2024 World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers reliever was key in getting them to and through the series, but his father had a bit of a split allegiance between his fandom and his son.
Vesia told the "Foul Territory" crew on Thursday about his father's plans for a series against the Yankees during the regular season, and his reaction for the World Series matchup:
"He wanted to wear a half-Yankees, half-Dodgers jersey, and I told him that if he wore that, I would never get him tickets. Ever again. There's no way you're wearing that. One, because you're going to go viral... It was hilarious... He was a good sport about it, he said, 'I'm always going to support my son.'"
Vesia also said that all their friends know how big of a Yankees fan his father is, so everyone was texting him. The pitcher said it was all funny for him since he knew it was going to happen at some point.
Alex Vesia makes bold claim on Yankees after Dodgers World Series win
Alex Vesia saw a lot of comments from his teammates and coaches about how the San Diego Padres were the toughest matchup that Los Angeles faced. It was not the AL's best in the New York Yankees that provided them the biggest challenge in the postseason.
He said on the "Foul Territory" show:
“Yeah, probably. I could say that [the Padres were better]. I think their lineup, they switched guys out a little bit more. I think the Yankees kind of got handcuffed a little bit towards the end with who they had and what lineup they wanted to bring out. The Padres’ bullpen, the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, that bullpen was just dude after dude after dude that threw 95 to 100 (mph), sliders, changeups, splitters."
Vesia said that the Padres threw "everything" at the Dodgers and made it a little harder for their lineup to navigate San Diego's pitching staff. The pitcher also said the Dodgers offense also did a good job wearing down the pitching they had to face and made a big difference in what the team believes was its best series.