The Los Angeles MLB team celebrated Kobe’s legacy with a special day dedicated to the late basketball legend on Aug. 25
At a Los Angeles Dodgers game honoring her late father, Bianka Bryant, the daughter of Kobe Bryant, had a very particular task to complete.
On Sunday, August 25, Bianka, 7, launched the first pitch to begin the MLB team’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, accompanied by mother Vanessa Bryant.
A Los Angeles Lakers fan account posted a video of Bianka winding up at Dodgers Stadium before throwing a spectacular pitch down the plate that was caught by right fielder Mookie Betts on X (previously Twitter).
In memory of Kobe, who passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41, Vanessa, 42, her daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, and Capri, 5, all wore matching Dodgers jerseys with the number 24 on the back. Gianna, the daughter, was 13 at the time.
Later on Sunday, Vanessa said on Instagram, “Thank you @dodgers for supporting our @mambamambacitasports foundation,” alongside a collection of game-related photos and videos. Love from L.A. 🙏🏽💜💛 💙🤍.”
She also uploaded a picture of Bianka grinning broadly as she posed next to Betts, 31.
Bryant has already threw out the opening pitch at a Dodgers game. Natalia takes the mound at Dodgers Stadium in September 2023. In June 2000, nearly twenty-five years prior, Kobe hurled the opening pitch during a Dodgers game.
Special-edition Kobe jerseys were given to attendees of the baseball game on August 25 in honor of the Los Angeles sports legend, who passed away only a few days shy of turning 46.
The “Black Mamba” is honored in the design of the jersey, which features his two most recognisable numbers, 8 and 24, on either side along with a snake print and gold and black colors.
