The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated Kobe Bryant during their annual Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium, for which his oldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Mookie Betts.
Betts was a fitting selection to catch the ball as he formed a friendship with Bryant and leaned on his advice when returning to Fenway Park for the first time since being traded to the Dodgers.
Natalia was joined on the field by her mother Vanessa, and younger siblings Bianka and Capri. Kobe held the honor of throwing the first pitch in the summer of 2000 after winning his first championship with the Lakers.
Prior to Natalia following in his footsteps, the Bryant family was accompanied by Dodgers players standing along the third-base line while wearing Kobe’s Lakers jerseys.
They alternated between No. 8 and No. 24, and in a throwback road jersey and home yellow. The Dodgers played a tribute video that included a slideshow of photos from Bryant’s visits to Dodger Stadium.
He memorably was photographed celebrating Yasiel Puig’s home run during Game 4 of the 2018 World Series. Vanessa and Natalia were both with Bryant in what unfortunately was his final time watching a Dodgers game in person.
The Dodgers previously honored Bryant and Gigi during a pregame ceremony on August 24, 2020. It included a video tribute narrated by Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully in recognition of what would have been Bryant’s 42nd birthday.
Fans who purchased a special ticket pack received a Black Mamba version of the Dodgers jersey that included Bryant’s name and both numbers.
Dodgers donation to Kobe Bryant’s foundation
The celebration of the five-time NBA champion and beloved icon included Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten presenting Vanessa with a $100,000 donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
“The Dodgers are so proud to be helping the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation in their mission to positively impact our community and the entire sports world,” Kasten said in a statement.
The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes, both boys and girls, in sports. It was founded through the vision and loving memory of Kobe and Gianna ”Gigi” Bryant.
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