The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting a pretty amazing gift. Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is gifting exclusive Kobe sneakers to the team, per ESPN. The gifts were in honor of the eight year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's last game in the NBA.
The Dodgers posted a thank you to Vanessa Bryant on social media after receiving the shoes. The post showed pictures of the stylish sneakers as well.
Mamba Forever.
Thank you for the gift, Vanessa Bryant! Can’t wait to celebrate the anniversary of Kobe’s historic last game in style. #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/nvinwH0Tni
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 13, 2024
“These are ridiculous. I'm going to rock these with Mamba pride,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per ESPN. Mamba was Kobe Bryant's nickname when he played in the NBA.
The shoes have the trademark blue, white and red colors of the baseball franchise. Kobe Bryant played his final NBA game on April 13, 2016, scoring 60 points for the Lakers in a victory over the Utah Jazz. The shoes turned out to be a good luck charm for the baseball team. The Dodgers got the win over the San Diego Padres after getting the shoes, 5-2, on Saturday.
Dodgers' season
The gift will hopefully add gas to the fire that is underneath the Dodgers this season. Los Angeles has some new talent in the lineup, including versatile power hitter Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani's bat has helped lift the Dodgers to a 11-6 record early in this baseball season. Ohtani is batting .343 so far this season, with four home runs and 10 runs batted in.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is one player who seemed inspired to receive the shoes. Betts said he would wear them everyday, per ESPN. Betts notched three hits for the Dodgers on Saturday in their win over the Padres, and batted in two runs in the game.
The Dodgers, like Kobe Bryant, have become associated with success. The team has become one of the strongest in Major League Baseball in recent years, winning a World Series in 2020. The team has won their division title seven of the last eight years.
Kobe Bryant's career
Kobe Bryant was one of the most successful NBA basketball players of all-time. He spent his entire career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships. He was also a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and was named to the All-Star team 18 times during his professional career. Kobe Bryant retired from the NBA in 2016, after scoring 33,643 points and adding 7,047 rebounds.
Kobe tragically died on January 26, 2020, when he and his daughter were involved in a helicopter crash in California. Kobe's death stunned basketball fans throughout the country. Dodgers' players and fans are very appreciative of the gesture given by Kobe's widow Vanessa.
The Dodgers are in action on Sunday, again against the Padres. The first pitch is at 7:10 Eastern. San Diego is 8-9 on the season. The Dodgers certainly hope that Kobe's shoes continue to work their charm.
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