The Los Angeles Dodgers paid tribute to L.A. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna before Sunday afternoon’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Vin Scully narrated the tribute video to honor Bryant, who would have been celebrating his 42nd birthday.
Bryant, his daughter and seven others were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in January of this year, breaking the hearts of the entire sports world, specifically in L.A. During his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant consistently showed support for the Dodgers, often attending games.
He notably threw out the first pitch in the summer of 2000 after winning his first championship, and most recently attended Game 4 of the 2018 World Series to pay visit to some of the Dodgers’ players before the game.
Perhaps no one represented the city better, making it heartbreaking when the news came down on that January day. Bryant will forever be remembered for the legacy he created in L.A.
“Tenacity, consistency, winning, just the compete, doing things the right way. And looking out, really being a servant to so many people in greater Los Angeles,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts, Hernandez appreciative of celebration for Kobe
The pregame ceremony not only consisted of the video narrated by Scully but also all of the Dodgers players lining up of the foul line wearing Bryant’s No. 8 and 24 Lakers jerseys to pay their respects.
Rockies outfielder Matt Kemp, who spent years with the Dodgers while Bryant was playing for the Lakers, also donned a jersey on the other side of the field.
Roberts has often quoted Bryant when speaking to his team, so he was appreciative of the organization for honoring Bryant in such a classy way.
“To see the Kobe jerseys in our lockers today was special. For us to reflect on him on his birthday, he’s a champion and one of the greatest of all-time,” Roberts said.
“For us to sweep the Rockies and play good baseball and get to enjoy tonight, get an off day, it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Appreciate the Rockies acknowledging Kobe’s birthday as well. I thought the Dodgers did a nice tribute.”
Kiké Hernandez hit a three-run home run in the Dodgers’ 11-3 victory and celebrated with a shooting motion as he crossed home plate.
“Kobe, for 3!” Hernandez explained. “It was a three-run homer, like when you shoot a 3-pointer. We lost Kobe a little too soon. What he meant to not only this city but the entire world, to see the impact he had not only on basketball players but athletes and non-athletes all over the world, I think that tells you what type of person he was.
“Not just on the court but off it as well. He helped a lot of people. For us to be part of something like that before the game was really meaningful. I’m glad we did something really nice before the game and we were also able to win that game for him. It’s one of those that I’ll always remember.”
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