
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 09: Los Angeles Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant pose for a photo during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals at STAPLES Center on March 09, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)

via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 09: Los Angeles Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant pose for a photo during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals at STAPLES Center on March 09, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)
NBA players are defined by their basketball skills, but they have always had a love for other sports. Whether it’s Steph Curry and his eye-catching golf skills, or Steve Nash and his near-impeccable soccer technique, it isn’t too much of a surprise to see players front row at other sporting events on their off days. Kobe Bryant was one such player. The former Los Angeles Lakers star was unmatched in terms of his love for basketball. What many forget was how much Bryant loved the game of baseball, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers. Recently, his wife Vanessa took to Instagram to thank the Dodgers for their special gesture.
Kobe’s love affair with the Dodgers started back in 2000 when he was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch, merely a week after he won his first NBA title with the Lakers.
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Vanessa Bryant thanks Dodgers for exclusive “Mamba” jerseys
For their annual ‘Lakers Night’ celebration on the 1st of September, the $4.8 billion worth franchise has revealed a limited edition set of jerseys, inspired by Kobe Bryant. Said to be an homage to the Lakers’ jerseys in their 2020 Championship run, these limited edition shirts will have both of Bean’s numbers, 8 and 24, with the former on the front and the latter on the back, under his name.

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Beverly Hills, CA – Vanessa Laine Bryant and husband / American basketball player Kobe Bryant arrive at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills. Pictured: Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant BACKGRID USA 26 JANUARY 2020 BYLINE MUST READ: Image Press / BACKGRID USA: 1 310 798 9111 / usasalesbackgrid.com UK: 44 208 344 2007 / uksalesbackgrid.com * UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication * Editorial Usage Only PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRALLx/xIPAx/xIPAx
The jerseys, a change from the usual white that the Dodgers wear, are black with gold trim, and sport mamba scales – a tribute to Bryant’s nickname ‘The Black Mamba’.
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Upon hearing the news of the Dodgers’ gesture, Bryant’s wife Vanessa took to Instagram to thank the team, along with the Lakers and the NBA. “Thank you @dodgers !!! @lakers & @nba. See you September 1!”, she wrote, sharing the post with her 15.2 million followers, expressing her gratitude to both the teams for their continued efforts to remember her late husband.
Watch Story: LA Dodgers Honor Mamba Legacy Weeks After Honoring LeBron James
Since the 5x NBA Champion’s passing in January 2020, his wife has ensured she carries forward his legacy in all aspects of the game, ensuring that Bryant’s name will not be forgotten. These limited edition jerseys will not be available stadium-wide, but only to fans who buy the special ticket package.
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What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ heartfelt gesture for the Bryant family? Let us know in the comments below.
Read More: Over 3,239,500 People Want NBA to Take This Bold Kobe Bryant Decision Even 3 Years After His Death
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