Natalia Bryant, the oldest daughter of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, paid tribute to her father by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers’ annual Lakers Night. The 20-year-old USC student took to the mound during the game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers, known for their tradition of honoring the Lakers, made a special gesture by giving away Lakers Night jerseys featuring Kobe Bryant’s iconic No. 8 on the front and his last name and No. 24 on the back. To further commemorate Bryant’s legacy, the team also announced a $100,000 donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Natalia Bryant throws out the first pitch pic.twitter.com/aFX4zCjje9
— Mykell Mathieu (@MykellthePG) September 2, 2023
Before the game, the Dodger Stadium fans cheered as Vanessa Bryant, Natalia’s mother, and her sisters Bianka and Capri were recognized and honored. The occasion marked another tribute to Kobe Bryant, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident in January 2020 along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.
Natalia has spoken fondly of her father in the past, referring to him as the MVP of girl dads. She expressed her love and admiration for him during a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in March.
The Bryant’s are here as the Dodgers honor the late great Kobe Bryant@MLBbrodotcom #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/lzmxPRyr4M
— Mykell Mathieu (@MykellthePG) September 2, 2023
The evening held significance not only for the Lakers, but also for the thrilling baseball matchup between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Braves leading the MLB with an impressive 88-45 record and the Dodgers close behind at 83-50, it was a game that showcased the playoff potential of both teams.
Natalia’s first pitch carried on the legacy of her father, who himself threw a memorable first pitch just eight days after leading the Lakers to an NBA championship in 2000.
Vanessa Bryant &her daughters Natalia, Capri and Bianca arrive at Dodger Stadium along w/ Dodgers Pres bStan Kasten & Mookie Betts present a $100K check for the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Then Natalia throws out first pitch
(🎥: @NitecastMedia ) pic.twitter.com/stVdcFHXyT
— Nick Hamilton (@NickHamilton213) September 2, 2023
The event was captured on video by Mykell Mathieu, co-owner of Good News Radio. The footage showcased the heartfelt moment of Natalia honoring her father’s memory while being cheered on by the Dodger Stadium crowd.
As fans and players alike paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, it was a night of remembrance and celebration, marked by the strong bond between the Lakers and the Dodgers.
