Dodgers pay tribute to Kobe Bryant with bobblehead night as family attends, Dodgers beat Blue Jays 5-1
The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Kobe Bryant on a special Friday night, welcoming his family and giving fans a commemorative bobblehead tied to the date that salutes his No. 8 jersey. The event came as Los Angeles marked Kobe’s enduring connection to the city he loved, both on and off the court.
Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant and their daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri were on hand for the celebration at Dodger Stadium, where the first 40,000 fans received a Kobe Bryant bobblehead. The figure shows Kobe in a No. 24 Lakers uniform, paired with Nike Kobe 6 Protro Dodgers sneakers and gripping a baseball bat, symbolizing his affection for both basketball and the Dodgers.
Bianka Bryant served as a star of the pre-game ceremonies, throwing the ceremonial first pitch to Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman while 6-year-old Capri took the microphone to deliver the classic Dodgers slogan, “It’s time for Dodgers baseball!” Vanessa and the family posed for photos with Freeman, underscoring the strong bond Kobe held with Los Angeles and its teams.
This tribute continues a Dodgers tradition of honoring Kobe’s memory. In 2023, fans wore black snakeskin Dodgers jerseys inspired by Kobe’s “Black Mamba” persona, with No. 8 on the front and No. 24 on the back; the jerseys returned in 2024, keeping Kobe’s legacy at the center of Dodgers celebrations.
Kobe’s presence in Los Angeles sports culture isn’t limited to the Dodgers. Vanessa and Bianka also helped open a game against the Tampa Bay Rays last year, a moment widely shared on social media and a reminder of the Kobe-Gianna legacy that remains a fixture in the city five years after the helicopter crash that claimed Kobe, Gianna, and seven others.
Beyond the field, Los Angeles continues to honor Kobe and Gianna through public art and memorials. The county hosts numerous Kobe murals, including one downtown depicting Kobe kissing Gianna as she holds a basketball, though some works have faced vandalism. Crypto.com Arena houses three Kobe statues, including a 19-foot marble statue and the bronze “Girl Dad,” celebrating the father-daughter bond Kobe cherished with Gianna.
On the night itself, the Dodgers prevailed 5-1 over the Blue Jays, with Mookie Betts delivering a two-run homer that highlighted a celebratory atmosphere. The Dodgers also recalled Kobe’s influence beyond basketball, including a 2017 recruiting video in which Bryant encouraged Shohei Ohtani to consider Los Angeles—and spoke of the city and the Dodgers as the optimal place to win.
Why this matters: Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues to unify audiences across sports and generations in Los Angeles. The city’s ongoing tributes—art, statues, ceremonial pitches, and special jerseys—show how one athlete’s impact can transcend a single sport, reinforcing a hopeful narrative about community, remembrance, and the enduring bond between fans and the athletes they admire.
Summary: A night that blended sport, family, and communal memory, the Dodgers’ Kobe Bryant tribute featured a bobblehead, family appearances, ceremonial first pitches, and a 5-1 win, while underscoring Kobe’s lasting influence on Los Angeles’ sports culture and its public tributes to his legacy.
Positive note: Kobe’s legacy continues to inspire cross-sport loyalty, family involvement in civic moments, and a shared sense of pride in Los Angeles’ vibrant sports scene.