A surprise guest will be present at Dodger Stadium for Los Angeles Lakers night. The Lakers Night ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by Natalia Bryant, the late Kobe Bryant‘s oldest daughter, on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Natalia will have the chance to experience something new and follow in her father’s footsteps.
In the year 2000, Kobe threw out the first pitch after the Lakers won their first of five NBA titles that season.
During the yearly celebration of L.A.’s beloved Lakers, the 20-year-old model and the firstborn child of the NBA legend will pay tribute to her father and sister, Gianna. In January 2020, Kobe and Gianna passed away after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed. The helicopter collided with a mountainside near Calabasas in a tragic accident. Along with the pilot, seven other people died.
Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, will throw out the first pitch when the Dodgers host ‘Lakers Night’ on September 1st.
(via @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/nERWyiSdxL
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Natalia recently paid tribute to her father on what would have been his 45th birthday. She also announced her participation in the event on Tuesday on her own Instagram feed. In the post, the sportsman was shown cradling the model when she was a newborn in a wholesome flashback image wearing a Dodgers jersey and cap. The caption of the Instagram picture from August 23 read “Happy Birthday Daddy.”
Pre-game festivities start at 6:30 p.m., and the Dodgers take on the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 p.m. After the game, there will be fireworks, if the weather permits.
Kobe Bryant threw the first pitch at the Dodger Stadium in 2000
Natalia will have the chance to experience something new and follow in her father’s footsteps. After the Lakers won their first of five NBA titles that season, Kobe threw out the first pitch in the summer of 2000. The Black Mamba also threw out the first pitch and supported his hometown team during the 2018 World Series. He also disclosed the starting lineup for the Dodgers’ Game 4 lineup.
On June 27, 2000, the late Lakers star delivered the first pitch at a Dodgers game. Bryant was a Dodgers supporter, and his ties to the franchise persisted even after his departure from the NBA in 2016. Additionally, the Dodgers will never forget Bryant’s adoration and assistance. They had 24 inscribed on the pitch to remember the NBA legend on January 26, the anniversary of his passing.
He has frequented Dodger Stadium throughout the years, most recently talking in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series. Since the five-time NBA champion’s passing, the Bryant family has been actively involved in the Los Angeles community. They have been taking part in activities for the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation among other things.