The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated the Los Angeles Lakers throughout their weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which culminated with a sellout on Sunday for Kobe Bryant jersey day at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers and Lakers share a close relationship through much of the same fanbase, and Bryant of course is part of that as a five-time champion and one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna have been particularly celebrated since their tragic passing in 2020. That was the case again this year with Vanessa Bryant, Natalia, Bianka and Capri on hand for the series finale.
Lakers Weekend at Dodger Stadium
Drone show
Following the series opener against the Rays, fans were treated to a Lakers-themed drone show at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers held a similar drone show last season when they welcomed the Bryant family to Chavez Ravine.
Showtime for Lakers Night
For Saturday’s game, the first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance received a custom Showtime Lakers t-shirt. It featured seven former Lakers, including Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson.
Kurt Rambis, Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott and A.C. Green threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Lakers Night and came together to announce the customary “It’s Time For Dodger Baseball” on the microphone before first pitch.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke with the former players prior to first pitch and was visibly excited to be in their presence.
“It was great seeing the Showtime Lakers. It took me back to being a kid with my dad, listening to Chick Hearn and watching the Lakers play,” Roberts said.
“Watching Magic and all those guys run the floor, I was a huge fan of all those guys. So to see them right there was a moment for me. I didn’t hide it very well.”
Kobe Bryant jersey day
For the series finale against the Rays, the first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance received a Kobe Bryant Dodgers jersey set to a black mamba theme.
The jersey features Bryant’s No. 8 on the front and No. 24 on the back. The left sleeve includes a Lakers logo and on the right sleeve is a heart with “KB” initials inside it.
For the 2023 season, the Bryant baseball jersey was only available to those who bought a special ticket pack and was not a stadium-wide giveaway like the latest offering.
The Dodgers took the rubber match from the Rays, aided by a home run from Kiké Hernández, who wears No. 8 in part because of Kobe Bryant.
“I hit a homer two days ago on his birthday, didn’t get in the game on Mamba Day, but today in front of the Bryant family, it was pretty special,” Hernández said after the game.
“When these days are happening and I’m wearing No. 8, I feel like not a lot of things can go wrong. I was able to enjoy the moment and put a good swing on the ball.”
Dodgers donate to Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation
Also for Kobe Bryant jersey day, Bianka threw out the ceremonial first pitch and the Dodgers made a $100,000 donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Mookie Betts presented Vanessa with the ceremonial check and caught the first pitch from Bianka.
“To see Vanessa here and the babies, it was really good. Kobe loved baseball. So for the relationship with the city, the Lakers and Dodgers, to keep that flame burning is great,” Roberts said.
“The family being here was awesome. Seeing all those 8 and 24 jerseys was fun.”
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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