Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Mookie Betts Recalled Advice From Kobe Bryant When Trading Autographed Bat For TJ Friedl’s First Home Run Ball
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Mookie Betts Recalled Advice From Kobe Bryant When Trading Autographed Bat For TJ Friedl’s First Home Run Ball

Matthew Moreno
September 20, 2021
3 Min Read
Mookie Betts
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the countless organizations to pay their respect to Kobe Bryant last year when the L.A. Lakers legend, his daughter Gianna and seven others tragically passed away in a helicopter accident.

Mookie Betts was among the Dodgers particularly impacted, as he’d begun to develop a friendship with Bryant as fellow Body Armor athletes. Betts shared a celebratory video narrated by Bryant when the Dodgers won the 2020 World Series.

The five-time NBA champion was back in his mind during the sixth inning of the series finale at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati Reds rookie TJ Friedl greeted Tony Gonsolin with a leadoff home run for his first career hit.

Not long after Friedl reached the dugout, the baseball had arrived for safekeeping. Cameras later caught Betts taking an autographed bat out to the Reds fan who caught Friedl’s homer and immediately threw it to the Dodgers’ right fielder when asked.

“I just asked him for the ball. It was kind of sign language. I said, ‘I’ll throw you another ball. That’s his first home run, so can you throw it back?’ He didn’t hesitate, threw it right back,” Betts explained.

“I was going to throw him a ball but I thought about giving him a bat instead so that maybe it would be something he remembers a little bit more.”

Part of the calculus to providing the fan with a bat was advice Bryant had once shared with Betts.

“Those type of interactions are kind of everlasting. I think one of the last times I talked to Kobe, he just reminded me that by the time the game is over, somebody knows who you are and somebody recognizes you,” he said.

“Obviously that’s through our play, but it’s another way for somebody to impact someone’s life. I wasn’t really doing it for cameras. I was just doing it because he easily threw the ball back and didn’t even ask for anything.”

Betts motivated by Bryant

Sunday’s thoughtful gesture was the latest instance in which Betts was inspired by Bryant.

Prior to the Dodgers winning the World Series last season, Betts shared that Bryant had once helped him through struggles and the advice received was something the 2018 American League MVP intended to always remain mindful of.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Cincinnati RedsKobe BryantLos Angeles DodgersMookie BettsTJ Friedl
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Rumors

MLB Rumors: ‘No Plans’ To Implement Universal DH Before 2022 Season

February 11, 2019
February 11, 2019
Hisashi-iwakuma
Game Central

Spring Training Preview: Hisashi Iwakuma, Kenta Maeda Duel As Dodgers Host Mariners

March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred
FeaturedMLB News

MLB Denies Asking Cactus League For Letter Requesting Spring Training Delay

January 29, 2021
January 29, 2021
Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, 2020 World Series
FeaturedGame Central

World Series Recap: Brandon Lowe Hits 2 Home Runs, Rays Defeat Dodgers In Game 2

October 21, 2020
October 23, 2020

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어