In Photos: Kobe Bryant's daughter Bianka throws out first pitch ahead of Dodgers game to honor late father's 46th birthday weekend
NBA legend Kobe Bryant's daughter, Bianka, threw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium ahead of the series finale between the Dodgers and the Rays on Sunday. Bryant's family was invited to the field in honor of the late Black Mamba's 46th birthday weekend.
Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa and daughters Capri and Natalia joined Bianka on the mound as she threw the inaugural pitch. The family gathered in front of the mound to take some pictures before Bianka threw the ceremonial first pitch.
The Bryant family wore matching Dodgers uniforms with No. 24 at the back and No. 8 at the front to honor the great Kobe Bryant, who, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, lost their lives in a tragic chopper accident in January 2020.
Last year, in September, Natalia Bryant, now 21, threw the ceremonial pitch at Dodger Stadium before a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. Kobe himself delivered the first pitch nearly 25 years ago, in June 2000.
Those who attended the series finale on Sunday received a special edition Kobe Bryant jersey to celebrate Black Mamba's heavily decorated life. The jerseys had a snake print with both his iconic Lakers numbers on the front and back of the Dodgers jerseys.
Both LAD and the Rays went into the series finale hoping to win the series, which was still tied at one game each. Eventually, the Dodgers emerged triumphant with a 3-1 win.
While the Dodgers took Game 1 7-3, the Rays surprised the hosts on Saturday by chipping away with an unimaginable 9-8 win in extra innings.
Dodgers won the series against Rays on Kobe Bryant jersey day
LAD rallied behind impressive performances by starting pitcher Gavin Stone and important at-bats by right fielder Mookie Betts and outfielder Kike Hernandez.
Stone dominated the proceedings from the onset, giving up just one run in seven innings on three hits while striking out seven. Betts and Hernandez crushed a home run each, driving in all three runs for the win.
The LAD will next start their nine-game homestand at Dodger Stadium by hosting the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series starting Tuesday.