Former SeaWolves catcher Alfonzo makes MLB debut during family tragedy

Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. spent nearly a decade making his way through the minor leagues.

He spent parts of three seasons with the Erie SeaWolves in his journey, collecting Eastern League championship rings after the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed him as a free agent in November and he earned his way to make his major-league debut on Sunday, July 5.

It was a day filled with mixed emotions as a decade of hard work paid off, but he also just learned about the death of his sister Eliana and his stepmother, Patricia, during the devastating earthquakes on June 24 in Venezuela.El

“Eliezer started every playoff game during the SeaWolves’ 2023 and 2024 championship seasons,” said Erie SeaWolves president Greg Coleman. “Watching him take the field for his MLB debut while carrying such grief says everything about who he is. We’re keeping him in our thoughts.”

Alfonzo, 26, walked to the plate and received a standing ovation from the Los Angeles crowd as word of his story spread throughout the stadium before the game.

“He was always an easy guy to root for and I’m so happy he made it to the show, albeit under tough circumstances,” said former SeaWolves broadcaster Greg Gania. “The entire baseball community has felt the pain of all of the unimaginable loss in Venezuela with so many Venezuelans in the game. To see all of baseball rally around their teammates who are dealing with the loss shows how tight-knit the game truly is.”

Alfonzo, the son of former MLB catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, went 0-for-2 in his debut but still made time for reporters after the game through his grief.

“”Honestly it was a little difficult, but at the same time, thanking God always for everything,” Alfonzo said in Spanish to MLB.com. “What happened, unfortunately, is out of my hands and part of life. Only God knows why they happen. I went out there to honor my sister and my stepmother, and give my best in a difficult moment. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win, but you have to keep moving forward.”

Alfonzo wrote a tribute on his hat to both of his relatives. He wrote “E y P” and “RIP” above the brim and the side of the hat had “VZ” for Venezuela.

Alfonzo also told reporters that his sister told him a story that three weeks ago she called and said she had a “beautiful dream” about his career but wouldn’t tell him until it happened. He said that he’s pretty sure the dream was getting called up to make his debut.

“I couldn’t be happier for Fonzy getting called up. He played on some amazing Erie clubs and will forever be linked to the history of the team,” Gania said. “It was so unfortunate to hear the news of him losing loved ones on the cusp of his debut.”

Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X@ETNreisenweber.